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. 800. |>OlJBLE 



By FLORENCE MAURYAT 




aside Library, Pock^lEdUiS^1^???TTnTeere^ ^rper annlim. 

1886 by George kunro-Entered at the Post Office at New York at second class rates- Oct. 5, 1886. 






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The Heiress of Hilldrop; 

OR, 

THE ROMANCE OF A YOUNG GIRL. 

By GHABLOTTE M. BBABME, 

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MISS HARRIHGTON’S HUSBAND 


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FLOEENCE MARKYAT^S WORKS 


CONTAINED IN THE SEASIDE LIBRARY (POCKET EDITION): 

NO. 

159 A Moment of Madness, and Other Stories . 

183 Old Contrairy, and Other Stories 

208 The Ghost of Charlotte Cray, and Other Stories 

276 Under the Lilies and Roses .... 

444 The Heart of Jane Warner 

449 Peeress and Player 

689 The Heir Presumptive 

825 The Master Passion . . . ' . 

360 Her Lord and Master 

861 My Sister the Actress 

866 jMiss Harrington’s Husband 


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MISS HAREIN&TON’S HUSBAND. 


CHAPTER 1. 

THE cousins. 

The house in which the room was situated was one of a 
street leading out of Park Lane; small, but expensive, and 
the apartment bore evidence of good taste. The curtains 
and chair-covers were of the palest pink cretonne, with 
shadowy flowers in gray traced upon it. The windows and 
the bed were shrouded in lace, and the oval mirror on the 
toilet-table was set in a frame of china Cupids and roses. 
Photographs of well-known paintings adorned the delicately 
tinted walls, and the scent of flowers pervaded the atmos- 
phere. 

The adjoining dressing-room displayed still more signs of 
luxury and comfort. Silver cases and cut-glass bottles, 
and ivory-backed brushes emblazoned with monograms, 
were thrown about in lavish profusion. The easy-chair was 
of velvet, the furniture of the washing-stand was of Indian 
china. 

Embroidered slippers, and a quilted satin dressing-gown, 
to say nothing of pipe-racks and cigar-cases, showed that 
this apartment was dedicated to the use of one of the 
sterner sex, and that he was a man who loved his ease, and 
was accustomed to take it. 

It was an afternoon in July, and for sometime the cham- 
bers had been vacated; but evidently the house was not 
empty. The windows stood open, the air was very still, 
and every sound could be heard from below. 

Voices, not loud, but distinct, rose in altercation from 
the dining-room, where the master and mistress of the 
house sat at luncheon, and continued for some time, the 
man^s being far the louder and angrier of the two. 

At last the quarrel seemed to be at an end. The hus- 


6 MISS HAREINGTOK^S HUSBAND. 

band stamped through the hall and out at the front door, 
slamming it violently behind him; and after the pause of a 
few minutes the wife walked quietly upstairs, and entered 
the bedroom. 

She was a beautiful woman of about five-and-twenty: 
she had a tall, slight figure, but symmetrically rounded at 
the bust and arms, chestnut hair, deep blue eyes, a straight 
nose, delicate complexion, and pointed chin with a dimple 
in it. Her face, moreover, bore the indication of great 
power, combined with the sensitiveness that always accom- 
panies genius. It was a passionate face in every sense of 
the word. One could see at a glance that she was a loving, 
jealous, quick-tempered woman, who might bear a great 
deal up to a certain point — but, once thoroughly roused, 
would find it difficult to forgive. 

She was a society actress, well known and appreciated in 
town, and the wife of Captain Gerard Legh, but she was 
generally called by her maiden name of Georgie Harrington. 

As she came into the room now, her cheeks were crim- 
son and her eyes were darting fire. She had evidently been 
repressing her feelings with some difficulty whilst below, 
and now they would have their sway. Her face twitched 
curiously as she walked up and down the narrow space for 
some minutes in silence, and then, suddenly sinking down 
upon a couch that stood at the foot of the bed, she gave 
vent to the burden that oppressed her in a burst of tears. 

How she wept! Every now and then her sobs subsided, 
and it seemed as if she must have exhausted herself, and 
had no more strength to cry. And then the storm would 
commence again, and rise, by little and little, till it had 
reached the culminating point, and she would cast herself 
face downward on the cushions of the sofa, and writhe in 
the mental pain that was torturing her. 

When she was at her worst — when her face was blistered 
and her eyes so swollen she could hardly see out of them — 
there came a gentle tap at the closed door. 

“ What is it?^^ she demanded. 

“ Only me, ma^am,"" replied her lady^s-maid. “ Miss 
Lacy’s here, please, and would like to see you.” 

“ Very good; ask her to come up.” 

And then Georgie Harrington passed her handkerchief 
several times over her wet face, and sat up and tried to 
look more like herself. 


MISS HAKRINGTOK^S HUSBAND. 7 

In another minute Miss Lacy, who was her cousin, en- 
tered the room. 

‘‘ Why, my dear Georgie!’^ she exclaimed, as she kissed 
her warmly, “ what is the matter? Has that horrible man 
been ill-treating you again ?^^ 

At this question her cousin ^s lips quivered, and she had 
great difficulty in restraining her tears from flowing afresh. 

“It is too badl^^ exclaimed Marian Lacy, indignantly, 
as she sat down by her on the couch and took her hand. 
“ It^s the same thing, day after day, and youfll make 
yourself ill and unflt for work if you cry like this.’^ 

“ I can not help it,^^ replied Georgie, as she tried to swal- 
low her sobs. “ Gerard flew out at me to-day worse than 
ever, and all about my business transactions with Mr. 
Brabazon Ohauncey. How am I to pursue my profession, 
or to make any money, if I am not even to be allowed to 
speak to an agent on the subject ?^^ 

“ It is too absurdly ridiculous, said Miss Lacy, “ and 
Captain Legh is going a great deal too far. If he is so 
particular as all that, I wonder he doesn^t work for you, 
instead of allowing you to work for him. Then the busi- 
ness men would fall to his share, and he could leave you in 
peace at home.'’^ 

“He does try to get work,^^ interposed Georgie; “at 
least, he tells me so. He is always asking people; but, you 
see, he canT do anything. And his father. Lord Kinlock, 
is so set against it. Hone of the family have ever been in 
trade or business.'’^ 

Marian Lacy shrugged her shoulders. 

“ And so dear Gerard prefers to live upon his wife in- 
stead, and to worry her until she has no heart left for her 
work. Georgie, I always told you what would come of this 
marriage, but you wouldnT believe me. 

“ I know you warned me against it, Marian, but I loved 
him so. 

“You had a fancy, you mean, for his handsome face and 
figure, and were flattered at the idea of being connected 
with an aristocratic family. But what good did you expect 
from an actress marrying a man of his rank and position? 
The aristocratic family have never noticed you, and the 
whole thing is ending in a smash. '’y’ 

She w^as an attractive woman, this Marian Lacy, though in 
a different style from Georgie Harrington. She had dark 


8 MISS HAREINGTOM^S HUSBAND. 

eyes and hair, a slender figure, small hands and feet, and 
a great capacity for conversation. She could hold men for 
hours by her fascinating talk alone, and most of them pre- 
ferred her to more beautiful women. She was not on the 
stage, but so associated with actors and actresses that, she 
spoke and felt like one of themselves. 

“ It^s all very well to argue the point, Marian,^ ^ says 
Georgie, with a sigh, “but the fact remains. Gerard sin- 
gled me out for his wife, and declared I should never step 
upon the stage again. A twelvemonth after, on account 
of his extravagance, I was compelled to resume my profes- 
sion, and my life has been one long misery since. He can 
never say enough against the stage and its followers. He 
abuses all artists, and calls them opprobrious epithets. In 
fact, Marian, I am sick and tired of it all, and I can not 
'bear it any longer.-’^ 

“ I don^t wonder at it, my dear. I should have cut the 
whole concern long ago. The wonder is that youVe lived 
with Captain Legh so long. Hot another woman in the 
world would have done it. ” 

“ But he can be very charming, Marian, when he 
chooses. Can I ever forget the first days in which I met 
him! I thought he was a god upon earth. 

“ I dare say you did before you married him. But see 
how he has treated you since. He spends half the day in 
bed, and the other half at his club; and should he conde- 
scend to look in at the theater in the evening, it is not to 
see you home, but to fiirt with some of the other actresses. 
You remember the fuss there was about him and Lola Sin- 
gleton. 

“ Don’t mention it!” cried Georgie. “ It nearly broke 
my heart!” 

“ And still you profess to love him. I can not under- 
stand it. He’s the most selfish man I ever came across. 
It was a bad day for you, my poor Georgie, when you went 
to the Kudifers and met him.” 

“ Ah, do you remember it?” cried the other, brighten- 
ing up until her beautiful face looked radiant. “ It was a 
Sunday evening, and I was so tired. I said at first that I 
could not go. But you persuaded me, and when it was 
nearly over and we were ready to return home, Mr. Coles 
brought Gerard up to introduce to us, and it was all over 
with me from that moment. I thought him the handsom- 


MISS harrikgtom's husbakd. 


9 


est and most aristocratic-looking man that I had ever met; 
and I think so still. Wherever I go my husband is always 
the best-looking man in the room. 

“ That would be well enough/^ remarked Marian, “if 
he kept his fascinations for you; but as his wife is the last 
person he thinks of in society, my appreciation of his 
charms would not rank so high as yours. In plain words, 
Georgie, the time has come when you must act for your- 
self. He will kill you if this sort of thing goes on. What 
was the quarrel about this moming?^^ 

“ Sissy. Gerard says she is far too old to be about the 
house when I am so often absent, and I ought to send her 
to school. And when I replied I could not part with her, 
he was cruel enough to say I kept her because — because — 

“ Because loliat 

“ She helped me in my flirtations, and prevented his 
knowing what was going on. And you know, Marian, I 
have not deserved thaV* 

“ Yoio, who have never looked at another man since he 
married you; who are making yourself positively disliked 
in the profession for your coldness and supposed pride! 
Georgie, that man ought to be horsewhipped, and if I were 
you I would not stand it.-’^ 

“ I donT mean to stand it; that is why we quarreled. 
Gerard declared Sissy should go to school and I said she 
shouldnT. I can not part with her, Marian. I promised 
my dear mother on her death-bed that I never would; and 
since it is my money that provides her teachers, surely I 
may do as I think fit with it.-’ ^ 

“ Captain Legh evidently imagines you should not. By 
the way, Georgie, how do you manage about your money? 
You must be making a great deal. Do you invest it?^^ 

“ No; I pay it into my husband^s bank. There is no 
meiim and tuum between us. 

“ And he spends it as he chooses ?^^ 

“ He has never denied me anything I may want,^^ re- 
plied Georgie, coloring. 

“ Except what you like most~the society of your little 
sister. You will have to part with Sissy yet, Georgie. ” 

“ I never will!” cried Georgie Harrington, passionately. 
“ DonT I slave night after night to provide the means by 
which this house is supported and we all live? Why should 
my orphan sister be deprived of sharing in the benefit of 


10 MISS HARllINGTON^S HUSBAND. 

my success? My dear dying mother left her to my care, 
and sooner than part with her — 

“ What will you do?^^ interposed Miss Lacy. 

“ Leave Gerard himself!” replied Georgie, with fixed 
teeth. 

“ Well, / don^t blame you,^^ said her cousin. “ You We 
done more than enough for him already. He swaggers 
about town on your money, and doesnW give you as niiieli 
as a ‘ thank you ^ in return. Qnly the other day I heard 
that he passed himself off in Paris as an unmarried man. ” 

“ Don't tell me of it, please," said Georgie, with her 
hand to her side. 

“ Very well, we'll drop the subject; but you know it's 
true. He can live on your earnings, but he's ashamed of 
the very means from which he derives his livelihood. I 
am sure the very best thing you can do, my dear, is to leave 
him. " 

“ Perhaps it is," replied Georgie; “ but it is very hard, 
Marian, to think of leaving a man who has been everything 
to you for the last three years. It is like cutting one's very 
heart out. All the interest in life will be over for me when 
I have to work for myself alone; and yet the cruel insults 
he heaps upon me in his tempers are almost worse to bear." 

“It is very plain that he does not care two straws for 
you," said Miss Lacy, “ and I begin to doubt if he ever 
did. I suppose he thought you were a good speculation, 
and would save him from the necessity of working. And 
you have been so foolishly fond of him ever since, and shown 
your affection so openly, that he imagines nothing will 
make you separate from him. Now just take my advice, 
my dear, and show him he is not paramount. Why should 
you make a point of remaining in London? Look out for 
a good provincial engagement, and leave my gentleman 
for a few months to see after himself. That would bring 
him to his senses, and make him value you a little more 
than he does at present." 

“ But he will not consent to my going into the prov- 
inces," replied Georgie. “ I was offered an excellent 
‘ starring ' engagement with the ‘ Valley of Joy Company;' 
indeed, I believe Mr. Brabazon Chamicey holds it open for 
me — but Gerard was dead against it. In fact, it was the 
cause of the terrible quarrel we had last week." 

“ Georgie, I have no patience with you!" exclaimed her 


MISS hakrii^gton's husbakb. 


11 


cousin; ‘‘you let that man spend all your money, order 
your affairs, and bully you into the bargain. You were 
foolish to refuse that engagement. What did Brabazon 
Ohauncey offer you?’^ 

“ Forty pounds a week.^^ 

“ Take it, my dear. You will thank me for the advice 
by and by. 

“ But Gerard will be miserable living here alone/ ^ 

“ Let him be miserable,^'’ laughed Miss Lacy, “it will 
do him good. I suppose he has some money of his own to 
live on?^^ 

“ Only two hundred a year.’^ 

“ IFs quite enough; and if he feels the want of the 
luxuries with wliich you have provided him, so much the 
better. ' Show him that you are independent, and he will 
respect you all the more. Why should you be abused and 
insulted and made a slave of, when you may have peace 
and liberty by only stretching out your hand for them?^^ 

But this question was never answered, for at the same 
moment a carriage stopped before the door, and a thunder- 
ing knock reverberated through the house. 

Marian Lacy flew to the window. 

“ It^s Lady Henry I’"’ she exclaimed; “ and actually 
alone, unless she has hidden Sir Fulke under the cushions. 
Georgie, you must go down and see her!” 


CHAPTER IL 

THE SOCIETY PATROET. 

“ I CAH not see her!” said Georgie Harrington; “ my 
eyes and nose are so swollen, I look a perfect sight. And 
she will guess I have been crying, and tell the story all over 
London. Yet — now I remember — she appointed this after- 
noon to talk over the Hatleigh theatricals. Marian, dear, 
what shall I do?” 

“ Bathe your face in cold water, and put on a becoming 
wrapper. I will precede you, and tell her ladyship you 
have had neuralgia all night, and would see no one but 
herself. That will put her in a good temper, and shefll 
excuse anytliing. HonT be afraid shefll And you out, 
Georgie; neuralgia always makes one look as if one had 
been crying!” 


12 


MISS HARKIIS'GTOM^S HUSBAND. 


“ I will make an effort/^ said Georgie, walking to the 
washing-stand, “ for it will never do for me to get out of 
favor at Hatleigh. The Prince and Princess of Wales were 
at their last garden-party!^^ 

The visitor being announced, Miss Lacy went down to 
entertain her until her cousin should be ready, and pend- 
ing her appearance they discussed the absent, after the 
manner of women. 

‘‘ 111.^’ poor thing said Lady Henry Masham, in an- 
swer to Marianas apologies; well, I don’t wonder at it, 
considering the way in which Captain Legh neglects her. 
I assure you, my dear Miss Lacy, every one in town is talk- 
ing about it; his flirtation with %lvia Marchmont is per- 
fectly disgraceful. A married man should have more re- 
spect for himself. I should throw up my engagement at 
the Delphian ju^t to spite him, if I were Miss Harrington!” 

“ I don’t see what good that would do,” replied Marian 
Lacy; “ if there is any doubt of Captain Legh’s integrity 
— of which we know nothing — my cousin had better remain 
on the spot to check his actions. But I think you are too 
hard on him. Lady Henry; he may not be an immaculate 
husband, but I suppose he is no worse than others! And 
as for Sylvia Marchmont, she’s a perfect child!” 

Lady Henry nodded her head significantly. 

“Not such a child as you think, my dear, and Sir Fulke 
Greville tells me all the clubs are talking about it; but if 
poor dear Miss Harrington knows nothing it is as well, per- 
haps, to leave her in ignorance!” 

‘‘ I don’t see how she should know it,” returned Marian; 
“ she is always on the stage when Sylvia is off; besides. 
Captain Legh is very seldom at the theater; he generally 
spends his evenings at the club. ” 

“ Well, Lord Heniy and I have always led such a per- 
fectly open and confidential life with each other that per- 
haps I am not competent to judge, ” observed her ladyship, 
“ and, of course, I know nothing of Captain Legh’s doings 
except from’ hearsay; such things do not come within my 
range of cognizance; but people will talk, and Miss Har- 
rington is such a sweet creature; it seems a thousand pities 
she should be deceived. ” 

At this tirade Marian Lacy opened her eyes in the utmost 
astonishment. Lady Henry Masham was a woman of about 
forty, well preserved, as ladies of the present day (who 


MISS HARKIMGTON^S HUSBAND. 


13 


knov7 their way to Unwinds and Albertis) generally are. 
She was a clever amateur actress, and spent all her time 
and half her money on her favorite amusement. She pos- 
sessed a confiding husband in Lord Henry, who was well 
content to remain at home whilst his wife ran over the 
country with Sir Fulke Greville, and a company of stage- 
struck ladies and gentlemen, playing wherever it pleased 
their fancy to do so. 

Some people thought that such unusual proceedings on 
the part of the wife of a respectable gentleman did not en- 
title her to make any great strictures on the conduct of 
other women. But Lady Henry was a model of virtue in 
her own estimation, and no one was harder than she was on 
the faults of her neighbors. 

She refused to believe that poor Lady Greville^s life was 
spoiled by the continual absence of her husband on these 
theatrical tours, or that her own name suffered from asso- 
ciation with that of Sir Fulke. She was bent on display 
and notoriety, ‘and permitted nothing to interfere with her 
indulgence of it. She was hand-in-glove with all profes- 
sional artists, and loved to imagine herself one of them. 
She threw open the doors of Hatleigh House to them 
freely; and whilst they laughed at her pretensions, they 
were not slow to avail themselves of her hospitality. But 
to hear her talk of her marital relations with Lord Henry 
Masham was so funny that Marian Lacy could hardly keep 
her countenance as she replied: 

“ I think Georgie^s eyes are as open as those of any one. 
But she is not quite a perfect temper herself, you know. 
Lady Henry. She looks sweet enough upon the stage, but 
she is by no means an easy person to get on with in pri- 
vate life. I fancy there are two sides to the story. But 
here she comes, and I shall have to leave you. You will 
not mention to her what I have said, I hope. In all matri- 
monial squabbles I prefer to maintain a neutral position. ” 
Quite so, my dear Miss Lacy. I perfectly understand 
you/^ replied Lady Henry, as the door opened to admit 
Georgie Harrington. 

She was looking charming in a pale blue satin tea-gown, 
trimmed with coffee lace; and her pale face, and hair m 
graceful confusion, only added to the interest of her ap- 
pearance. 

Lady Henry received her with enthusiasm, and Marian 


14 


MISS HARRINGTON'S HUSBAND. 


Lacy having made her adieus, the two commenced to talk 
of the Hatleigh House theatricals, and what artists were to 
be secured to assist in the production of a drama of Lady 
Henry Masham's own composition. 

Miss Harrington had named several who were likely to 
be at liberty, when her guest interrupted her: 

‘‘ But you will take the principal part yourself, will you 
not, my dear Miss Harrington? I could not fancy my 
Lady Ella in any hands but yours. " 

‘‘ How can I, Lady Henry, when I have my own work 
to do?" 

“ The Delphian will be closed by that time. We don't 
play till September." 

‘‘ I shall probably be in the provinces in September. I 
have been offered an engagement with the ‘ Valley of Joy 
Company.'" 

“ But you won't accept it, surely. You will never leave 
London. " 

“ I don't see what there is to keep me particularly in 
London, Lady Henry," said Georgie, with a sigh. 

‘‘ Why, everything! Your house — ^your charming hus- 
band — and your friends. No lady in the profession has the 
entree to better houses than yourself. Ah! I believe I can 
guess the reason. Miss Harrington. Some mischievous lit- 
tle bird has been whispering tales out of school to you. 
Now, my dear child, take my advice. Don't believe them. 
If I had believed all the stories I've heard against Lord 
Henry since our marriage, I should have taken prussic acid 
long ago!" 

“Indeed you are mistaken," murmured Georgie. 

“ No, I'm not. I've heard all about it, though of course 
I always say it is not true. But they're all alike, my dear 
girl; there isn't a pin to choose between them; they'll do 
anything so long as they're not found out. And if you 
marry a charming fellow like Captain Legh, you are bound 
to take the. consequences. But he is not a bit worse than 
any other husband." 

“But, perhaps," said Georgie, proudly, “I require 
something better than any other husband. " 

“ Well, you won't get it, my dear! There are none 
made. Everyone likes Captain Legh; he's so pleasant and 
gentlemanly — such a thorough man of society. It's no 
wonder he gets flattered and spoiled. But it would be 


MISS HARRIlSrGTOK^S HUSBAND. 


15 


worse if he were such a nonentity that no one took any 
notice of him. Come now, my dear Miss Harrington, 1 
must have you cheer up and look at the bright side of 
things.^^ 

“ Shall we finish our arrangements for the Hatleigh 
theatricals?” said Georgie, gravely. 

She could not bear to discuss so serious a subject with a 
comparative stranger. 

She loved her husband so dearly, that to speak of his fail- 
ings was like driving a knife into her heart, and she shiv- 
ered under the infliction. 

Lady Henry saw that she wished to turn the subject, and 
she took her cue from her. For the rest of her visit the 
conversation was solely of scenery, dresses, musicians, and 
all the paraphernalia necessary to a dramatic spectacle. 

Georgie recommended her old friend, Mr. Brabazon 
Chauncey, as stage-manager, and an efficient person to pro- 
vide artists at a reasonable price; and sat down, then and 
there, to write a note of introduction to him for Lady 
Henry. 

She felt thoroughly tired when her visitor left her, but 
she also felt somewhat cheered. 

To find that Lady Henry took such a different view of 
Gerardos conduct from what Marian Lacy had done, made 
her ask herself if she had not been too harsh in her judg- 
ment of him. 

Was his behavior, after all, only that of every man in 
society, and was it her ignorance of high life that made her 
blame him unnecessarily, and caused the differences be- 
tween them? 

Georgie Harrington was a very proud woman, but she 
was also a very tender-hearted one. Her pride was her be- 
setting sin. She had been both envied and sneered at for 
making a marriage above her position as an actress; and 
that the envious and malicious should have the power to 
smile at her failure to retain her husband^’s respect and at- 
tention galled her above everything. 

In her present softened mood she saw things in a differ- 
ent light. 

Perhaps, after all, she had not made sufficient allowance 
for his aristocratic breeding and mode of bringing up. He 
had not been used to the society she had; it was no wonder 


IG MISS HAREII^GTON^S HUSBAND. 

if he looked down upon her friends, and treated them with 
more familiarity than was desirable. 

The women made a fool of him too; of that she had been 
long aware, and she was too much occupied with her pro- 
fession to go about with him as much as a wife should do. 
It would be hard if Gerard had to stand aloof from society 
because she could not enter it. 

* In half an hour after Lady Henryks departure Georgie 
Harrington had almost argued herself into the belief that 
she was as much in the wrong as Captain Legh, and had 
determined to tell him so when next they met, and see if it 
were not possible to commence their married life over 
again. 

Usually she dined at four o^ clock with Tier little sister 
Bertha, who had been known from her birth by the name 
of Sissy, to accommodate the exigencies of her profes- 
sion, and her husband took his dinner at his club. 

To-day she would not have entered the dining-room at 
all if it had not been for Sissy, who sprung to meet her 
directly she appeared. 

“ Oh, Georgie! I thought you were never coming. How 
long Lady Henry stayed! I made Nelson ring the bell 
three times, to tell you dinner was ready !^^ 

“Are you so hungry, then, my darling? When did 
Mademoiselle Sartouche leave ?^^ 

“ Nearly an hour ago. She took me such a long walk 
in the park; I thought I should have fainted; I believe she 
has cast-iron legs!^-’ 

“You wonT faint so easily, my little Sissy, said 
Georgie, with a sigh, “ but I mustnT have you overtired. 
Let us have dinner at once V* 

Sissy was a fine-grown girl of twelve, with twice the 
stamina and half the beauty of her elder sister, who had 
been a mother to her since her birth. 

She had fair hair hanging down her back, blue eyes, a 
nez retrousse, and a wide mouth. She was not particularly 
clever, and showed no proclivity for the stage. But she 
was Georgie ^s especial darhng — a sacred legacy left her by 
the best of mothers, and she spared neither trouble nor 
money where Sissy was concerned. 

All day the child was under the care of an excellent 
French teacher. At night she was watched by the. lady^s- 
maid, and every spare moment that it was possible to de- 


MISS HAllRIHGTOK^S HUSBAND. 


17 


vote to her Georgie had her by her side. But she would 
not take her behind the scenes of the theater. Sissy often 
pleaded to go, but her prayers invariably met with the 
same result. 

“ Georgie/^ said the girl, as soon as they were alone, 
“ youVe been crying 

“ What makes you think so. Sissy 

“ Do you suppose I canH see it? Is it because Gerai’d 
was in such a rage this afternoon? Mademoiselle Sartouche 
and I heard him go out at luncheon-time and slam the 
door. Mademoiselle said it was not at all comme il faut. 
Is it that that made you cry, Georgie ?^^ 

“ Partly, dear. Gerard was angry with me, and I don^t 
bear such things well. It was very silly of me to let it vex 
me, and I am quite ashamed of myself. Do not let us 
speak of it any more. 

Sissy was silent for a few moments, and then she said: 

“ Take me with you to the Delphian to-night, Georgie 
dear.^^ 

“You can go to my box with Kachel if you like. Sissy. 

“ You know I donT mean that. I want to go with you 
and help to dress you.'’^ 

“ I have said again and again I will not take you behind 
the scenes, so what is the use of asking, Sissy? The wings 
of a theater are no fit place for a child like you. 

“ Just as fit for me as for you,^^ grumbled Sissy. “ I 
shall be an actress myself when I grow up. 

“ In that case you will have more than enough of them, 
my dear, and will be quite delighted to get an evening at 
home. I only wish I had the privilege of staying there 
now,^^ said Georgie, as she rose from table. 

“ May I sit in the drawing-room and play the piano ?^^ 
demanded Sissy. 

“ Certainly you may, and read any book you find there. 
And I will come as usual and kiss my darling in bed as 
soon as I return home. 


CHAPTER HI. 

HUSBAND AND WIFE. 

Miss Harrington^ s dressing-room at the Delphian 
Theater, where she had been leading actress for two years 
past, was a marvel of prettiness. Her position compelled 


18 


MISS HAlUlIKGTOJSr'ti HUSI5AKD. 


her to keep up a good appearauce, and her love of refine- 
ment did the rest. A blue cretonne chintz covered the 
walls and ceiling, being fluted over the latter as if it were a 
tent. Her dressing-table, instead of being a mass of pow- 
der and pigments, was draped in lace over blue satin; 
whilst close to it, on a handsome Japanese cabinet, stood a 
tray and a set of French china, in which tea was served for 
her and her especial friends each evening. Over the man- 
tel-piece were black and gold brackets, interspersed by mir- 
rors, before which stood the photographs of the greatest 
theatrical celebrities in London. A curtain hung on a cir- 
cular rod to shut off all the arrangements for washing, and 
a couch, under the seat of which was a box to contain her 
dresses, completed the furniture of the little apartment, 
which was considered to be quite a specimen of a lady’s 
theatrical dressing-room. 

Miss Harrington’s ‘‘dresser,” too — a respectable woman 
of the name of Grayling — was always arrayed like a French 
bonne, in a high white cap and a voluminous muslin apron 
that covered her dress when she appeared to receive her 
mistress and help her in the mysteries of the toilet. 

Georgie was rather hurried on the night in question. 
She had remained so long petting and consoling Sissy that 
she had allowed herself but twenty minutes from the time 
she stepped into her brougham to the moment she was to 
step upon the stage. The dressing had therefore to be ac- 
complished with the utmost rapidity, and Grayling was not 
surprised to find her mistress silent and self-absorbed. As 
the toilet was near completion, however, she ventured on a 
remark. 

“ It will feel strange to me, miss,” she said, “ when the 
Delphian’s closed for repairs. I sha’n’t know what to do 
with myself in the evenings. If I may make so bold as to 
ask, miss, do you go on a holiday, or shall you take another 
engagement in London?” 

I don’t know what I shall do yet. Grayling,” replied 
Georgie, with a sigh. 

At that moment Sylvia Marchmont, having first tapped 
for admission, rushed into the room. She was a clever 
young actress of not more than eighteen, who had lately 
come very prominently before the public. She was pretty 
also, with the beauU du cochon, and she was very frivolous, 
conceited, and gushing. 


MISS HAIlRINaTON'S HUSBAND. 


19 


“ Oh, my dear, darling, sweet Miss Harrington,^ ^ she 
exclaimed, enthusiastically, as she sunk on her knees beside 
her, “ how charming, how lovely, how divine you look! 
That white satin suits you better even than the yellow used 
to do. How you must ‘ mash ^ the fellows in front. If I 
were Captain Legh I should be quite jealous. But I sup- 
pose you donT tell him of all your little triumphs. 

“ I never think of anything so silly, Sylvia. What is 
the use of ‘ triumphs,^ as you call them, to a married 
woman? They may be all very well for a silly little girl 
like yourself, but when you have found the one man you 
can love you will never think of any other. ^ ^ 

“ I donT think Miss Marchmont will ever leave off think- 
ing of the gentlemen, observed Grayling. 

‘‘ Youh’e a cheeky old wretch, and donT know any- 
thing about it,’^ said Sylvia, and amidst the laughter occa- 
sioned by her remark the call-boy shouted at the door, 
“ Miss Harrington called H and Georgie had to go upon 
the stage. She was a first-class melodramatic actress.^ 
She could move her audience to tears or freeze them with 
horror as she chose. She was a mistress of gesture and 
position, and knew exactly the right thing to do, at the 
right time, and in the right place; but to-night her heart 
was not in her work. She went through her part mechan- 
ically, and as soon as she left the stage her face relapsed 
into an expression of the deepest melancholy. She seemed 
to be an immense favorite privately as well as publicly. 
Faces lighted up and hands were eagerly stretched out as 
she appeared, and yet no one would have dared to utter an 
unseemly jest or tell an equivocal story in her presence. 

Georgie Harrington had been for ten years upon the 
stage, and no one, however spiteful and malicious, had ever 
been able to breathe the least scandal concerning her. She 
had walked pure and upright amongst them, like a tall 
white lily in a bed of brambles, and the most careless of 
them all knew and recognized her as a good woman; but 
though she smiled back kindly on the recognitions of her 
friends, she would not linger amongst them, but walked 
straight back to her dressing-room, and remained there 
alone, until her services were again required. 

As she came off the stage after the third act she caught 
sight of a figure that made her heart beat faster. It was 
that of a man leaning carelessly against one of the wings 


30 MISS HARKIKaTOII^S HUSBAND. 

and talking to Sylvia Marchmont. He possessed a tall, 
elegant figure, rendered more so by the evening suit he 
wore. His dark hair was cut close in the military fashion, 
and he pulled his silky mustache incessantly through his 
first and second fingers. 

His eyes were of the darkest gray — like gray velvet — his 
nose was well shaped, and he had an oval face, and some- 
what pensive expression of countenance. 

His clothes had evidently been turned out by Bennett or 
Poole, and in his button-hole he wore a yellow rose. 

This was Captain Gerard Legh, late of the 102d Buffs; 
and as Georgie^'s eyes fell upon him her cheeks flushed, and 
her generous heart gave him far more credit than he de- 
served. 

It was not often that he made his appearance at the 
theater, and she believed that he had come to-night solely 
to make some amends for his violent conduct of the morn- 
ing, and to show her that all was forgotten and forgiven 
between them. 

She went up to him at once, quite ready, by a glance of 
her soft eyes, to let Gerard know she was willing to meet 
his advances half-way, but he did not give her the oppor- 
tunity. 

As he saw her approaching, he. turned his figure round, 
so as to turn his back upon her; and though Sylvia called 
out, “ Oh! Miss Harrington, Captain Legh is telhng me 
the most ridiculous story about a monkey he did not ex- 
press, by word or gesture, that he was even aware of her 
presence. 

Georgie was deeply wounded. 

She felt the slight paid her before the rest of the com- 
pany much more keenly than if she had been alone, and 
walked in silence to her dressing-room. 

Have you seen your good gentleman, miss?^^ inquired 
the loquacious dresser, as she entered. “ Because I think 
I saw him just now as I passed the greenroom. He is 
such a fine-looking gentleman, one doesnT forget him in a 
hurry. But, of course, if it was he you must have spoke. 

“ Yes, yes, I have seen him!^^ replied Georgie, hastily. 
“ But this is my change-scene. Hand me the pink dress, 
please, and donT chatter; there is no time to lose.-’^ 

At the same moment Sylvia popped in her head. 

“ Are you ill, dear Miss Harrington? Why didn^t you 


MISS HAERIiq-GTOK^S HUSBAND. 21 

come and speak to us? Captain Legh will think you are 
cross. And I want you to hear about the monkey so much. 
It is the most comical story. One day, when Captain Legh 
was in the East Indies — 

‘‘ I think I have heard it before, Sylvia, and I have a 
bad headache, replied G-eorgie, with her hand to her brow. 

‘‘ Oh, you poor darling! How sorry Captain Legh will 
be! He seems so kind-hearted and good. Hark! Isn^t 
that my call! I must be off. Good-bye, darling, and 
mind you put some eau-de-Cologne on your dear head.-'^ 

Georgie was once more alone, and wondering what she 
should do to avoid meeting her husband again. She would 
not, she told herself, with indignant tears in her eyes, be 
insulted in the same manner twice. If Gerard did not wish 
to see her, nor speak to her, why did he come to the 
Delphian at all? It was easy enough to keep away. And 
his conduct revived the memory of the morning^s dispute, 
until she felt bitter and hard again, and the softer feelings 
she had cherished melted away. She tried to go backward 
and forward to her work after that without encountering 
Captain Legh, but he rendered it impossible. 

He stood in the principal entrance, laughing and talking 
to Sylvia Marchmont, or any other girl who might be wait- 
ing her turn to go on, and let his wife pass and repass him 
without a sign of recognition. 

At last the curtain fell for the last time, and Georgie 
flew to her room, thankful that the ordeal was over, and 
burning with indignation that it should ever have taken 
place. 

As she sat there, dressed, and waiting for her carriage, 
she heard her husband^ ^ footstep in the corridor outside. 

“ Captain Legh,^^ shouted the voice of Jemmie Tasker, 
their first comedian, after him, ‘‘ if you^ re waiting for Miss 
Harrington, she^s just ready, and the brougham is at the 
door.^"’ 

‘‘'No, thank you!^^ came back in Gerard's suave and 
languid tones-; “I'm due at the club, and my wife is quite 
able to look after herself. Good-night!" 

A few minutes later Georgie walked out alone to her car- 
riage; and running up against Sylvia Marchmont at the 
stage-door, saw the yellow rose which had been in Gerard's 
button-hole in the bosom of her dress, and also that she 


22 MISS haekimgton's husband. 

tried to cover it with her hand, as they bade each other 
good-night. 

As Geor^ie drove home her mind was in a chaos of 
doubt and indecision. 

What should she say to her husband when they met 
again? In what words should she upbraid him for the un- 
manly conduct he had pursued toward her? 

As she left the carriage at her own door her heart was 
hot with rage against him. 

The first person she met was her servant Rachel, who 
usually sat up to prepare her supper. 

Oh, madame!’^ she exclaimed, I wish you^d come up 
to Miss Sissy; I can do nothing with her!’"’ 

“ Why! what is the matter, Rachel? Is she ill?^^ 

“ No, madame, not exactly ill; but there, I wish youM 
hear her tell her own story. She knows it better than I 
do.^^ 

Much alarmed, Georgie flew up to her sister^s room, 
where she found Sissy still dressed, but flung across the 
bed, and sobbing as if her heart was broken. 

‘‘ Why, Sissy, my darling! what is the cause of all this?^^ 
demanded Georgie, as she took the girl in her arms and 
tried to soothe her. 

It was some time before Sissy could speak coherently. 
She had cried till she had lost all control of herself. 

But when she could make herself understood, her sister 
heard but one word, and that was a very unlady-like one — 

Beast r 

Who ^s a beast, darling ?^^ 

‘ ^ Gerard ! I hate him 

Georgie started. 

“ Gerard! But why should you say so. Sissy? He 
never interferes with you.^^ 

Sissy had found her tongue by this time. 

“ DoesnT he, though? You know, Georgie, you told 
me I might sit in the drawing-room, and play the piano, 
and read the books, whilst you were away. And so we 
were sitting there quite quietly, werenT we, Rachel? for I 
had finished playing, and was reading the ‘ Arabian Nights 
to Rachel, when Gerard came in, and he — he — ” 

But here Sissy^s voice was again drowned in sobs. 

“Yes, madame, continued the lady^s-maid, “what 
Miss Sissy says is quite true. We was just sitting togethet 


MISS HAIlRINGTOl^^S HUSBAKD. 23 

as quiet as could be, about nine o^ clock, when in comes the 
master, and says, ‘ How dare you occupy the drawing- 
room,^ he says, ‘ and who^s been a-playing the piano, and 
mauling over the best books?'’ 

“ Yes — yes!’^ cried Sissy, raising her head again, “ and 
I said, ‘ / have, and Georgie gave me leave to do it!^ And 
then he answered, ‘ You'll have to learn that / am the mas- 
ter of this house! Get out of the room, and go up to the 
nursery, which is the proper place for you.' So I said, ‘ I 
won't!' and then, Georgie — oh! Georgie!" exclaimed the 
child, with a fresh burst of tears, “ he boxed my ears!" 

lie struck cried her sister, aghast. “Oh, it 

must be a mistake! He would not have dared to do it!" 

“ 'Tisn't no mistake, madame," interposed the maid, 
“for I was present, and I see it done. The captain hit 
Miss Sissy several times, first on each side of her head, and 
then on the back and shoulders; and he pushed her right 
out of the drawing-room, and bade me go after her; and I 
haven't known what to do with the child, for she's been 
breaking her heart ever since!" 

Georgie Harrington's face had become very white during 
this narration, and her frame trembled. 

“ My poor little Sissy," she said, as she caressed the 
sobb^hg girl, “ don't cry any more. It is the first tinie you 
have ever been struck in your life, and you may take my 
word for it .it shall be the last. Let Rachel undress you 
now, and no one shall come near you till the morning. He 
shall never do it again, darling. He shall never do it 
again," she murmured' fondly, as she kissed the blonde 
head of her little sister, “ Come, Rachel, put the child to 
bed, and go to bed yourself. You must both want rest." 

“ Will you not require my services in undressing, 
ma'am?" demanded the servant. “ You are not going to 
sit up, surely." 

“ I shall not retire just yet, Rachel. I have some work 
to finish first. But I beg that you will put Miss Sissy to 
bed at once, and lie down by her side, for she will probably 
have a restless night after all this excitement. " 

And bidding an affectionate good-night to her little sis- 
ter, Georgie Harrington went down-stairs to the dining- 
room, determined to remain there until her husband re- 
turned home to render the explanation she intended to 
demand from him. The story she had heard had made 


24 : 


MISS hareington"s husband. 


her anger burn within her. That her sister should be 
turned out as an intruder from her drawing-room — the 
drawing-room she had furnished and kept up with the prod- 
uce of her own labor — was bad enough; but to hear that 
Sissy had been struck! The child she had reared from an 
infant of a few weeks old — for whom she had toiled — whose 
cheek she had been afraid the breath of Heaven might visit 
too roughly — Georgie could better have borne the indignity 
of being struck herself. Her blood chilled as she thought 
of it, and her husband^ s other offenses seemed to sink into 
insignificance beside the crowning one of having used vio- 
lence to Sissy. 

The unhappy woman sat before her untasted supper long 
after her servants had gone to bed, waiting for the moment 
of Captain Legh^s return. All the miseries of her married 
life, their quarrels, his contempt of her profession and her 
friends, and his neglect of herself, passed in review before 
her as she awaited his arrival, and made her resentment 
still more bitter. 

At last she heard his latch-key in the door. It was two 
o^clock by that time, and all the household were asleep. 
Georgie walked quietly into the lighted hall and barred ms 
way. As his eye fell upon her form he saluted her with an 
execration: 

‘‘ What are you doing here at this time of night 

“ I am here to see you, Gerard, and to ask an explana- 
tion of your conduct toward my sister and myself. 

“ Then you won^t get it. Stand out of my way, please, 
and let me pass into the dining-room. The best thing you 
can do is to go to bed, and not make a fool of yom’self. ” 

She permitted him to pass her as he desired, then follow- 
ing him into the room, she turned the key in 'the lock and 
secured it in her bosom. 

“ How,^^ she exclaimed, triumphantly, as she confronted 
him, ‘‘ unless you use violence, which you will scarcely 
dare to do, neither you nor I quit this room until you hav6 
given me an account of your unmanly actions this day!” 


CHAPTEE IV. 

BEHIND THE SCENES. 

Captain Legh was stooping to get some wine from the 
cellaret as his wife’s excited speech fell on his ear. Hc^ 


MISS hareihgtok’s husbakd. 


25 


went on quietly with his occupation, filled a glass with the 
sparkling liquid, let it trickle slowly down his throat, and 
then replied in the most languid fashion: 

‘ ‘ I wish you would confine your rehearsals to the stage 
or your private apartments. You know how I dislike melo- 
dramatic scenes. And this is neither the time nor the 
place for them. 

“ I shall not wait for either time or place,^ ^ said Georgie, 
angrily, “ and your assumption of indifference, Gerard, 
will not serve you in this instance. You have behaved in 
a most ungentlemanly manner to-day, both toward my sis- 
ter and myself, and I will not stand it any longer 

Captain Legh^s eyes opened with professed astonishment. 
“Indeed! You surprise me! And of what am I guilty? 
Do you allude to the amiable little scene that took place 
between us at luncheon?” 

“ No, I don^t allude to that — you know I don^t! It was 
bad enough, I allow. It is shocking to think that a man 
and woman who have sworn before God to love each other 
should have such bitter feelings in their hearts as we had 
then. But, at all events, it took place in private; no one 
but ourselves witnessed the extent of our degradation. It 
was not done in public for every fool to mock at!^^ 

“ As I think I have observed before,” said Gerard Legh, 
as he lighted a cigarette, and threw himself into an arm- 
chair, “ I am not so familiar with highfalutin^ language as 
yourself, and must request you to interpret as you go on.^^ 
“ I mean, then, that bad as our private quarrel was this 
morning, it was nothing compared to the insults you have 
heaped upon me this evening. First, in refusing even to 
recognize me before my friends — ” 

“ I did not consider that after your intemperate conduct 
you deserved any recognition,^^ interpolated Captain Legh. 

“ I will not be insulted in public, whatever my conduct 
may be!'^ she replied. “But, added to that, I find, on 
my return home, that you have dared to strike Sissy, and 
turn her out of the drawing-room!” 

“ Dared he echoed, angrily, roused from his apparent 
supineness. 

Yes! dared! What right have you, I ask, to exercise 
any authority over my little sister, who has been my charge 
since her birth? Above all, to use violence toward her 
when she had done nothing to deserve it?” 


2G MISS HAKRINGTOM^S HUSBAMD. 

‘‘.She is a very impertinent child, and requires correc- 
tion. I find her installed in my drawing-room, pulling 
about my best books, and battering my piano to pieces, and 
I tarn her out, and send her to bed, and I have every right 
to do soT"’ 

“ Your drawing-room! your piano! your books !^^ re- 
peated Georgie, scornfully. “ Pray how long is it since 
they became yours? Who paid for everything in that 
room? Who pays the rent of this house, and for all that 
comes into it? You have forgotten the use of your possess- 
ive pronouns, Gerard. ^ ^ 

“^If you do it is only your duty,^^ he replied, sulkily; 
“ and what is yours is mine.’-’ 

“You will find you are mistaken,^ ^ retorted Georgie, 
“ and that there is such a thing as driving a willing horse 
to death. And, with regard to my sister — I forbid you — 
do you understand me, Gerard? I forUd you to touch her 
again !^' 

“ I shall treat her exactly as I choose. I never heard of 
such nonsense. A wife trying to come in this absurd way 
between her husband and a brat of a child 

“ I promised my dying mother — began his wife, solemn- 
ly- 

“Oh! we have heard all that before, interrupted Cap- 
tain Legh; “please spare me a repetition of the dying 
mother and the sacred vow — 

“You have no heart !^^ cried Georgie, passionately. 
“ You turn the most serious subjects into ridicule; and 
can not even sympathize with a daughter's love and re- 
spect for her dead mother. But I will do my duty if you 
have no sense of yours.' I will protect Sissy from your 
brutality in the future, and if you presume to lift your 
hand against her again I will have you up for an assault. 

Captain Legh lay back in liis chair and laughed long and 
heartily. He had no more idea that his wife would proceed 
to extremities against him than that she would fiy. 

He thought she loved him too much for that. He forgot 
that some love, when driven too far, will turn to madness. 
His incredulous laugh drove Georgie almost beside herself. 

“ You may laugh!^^ she exclaimed, “ but you will find 
out I speak the truth. You shall neither strike my sister 
nor insult me in public. There are . means of putting a 
stop to both.'’^ 


MISS haiikikgtojt's husband. 


27 


“ Indeedr^ 

“ I don^t wish to do it/^ she continued, but I can go 
to my manager and request him to forbid your being ad- 
mitted through the stage-door. And if I tell him that 
your presence upsets me, and prevents my doing justice to 
my work, the order will be issued at once."’"’ 

“ You would not dare do itT^ cried Gerard Legh. 

“ I will dare everything to prevent a repetition of the in- 
sult I received to-night. 

“ Insult ! Eubbish! You don^t want me to be spoon- 
ing you in public, I suppose?^ ^ 

“ I wish you to behave like a gentleman, which you did 
not do. 'No gentleman would let his wife’s friends see that 
he does not consider her worthy of his respect.” 

“ I shouldn’t think it signified what friends thought 
or did not think. A set of low cads, sprung from Heaven 
knows where. It is paying them too great a compliment 
for a man of my position to associate with them at all. ” 

‘‘It’s a pity then you come amongst them!” retorted 
Georgie, “ for I don’t think you’re a favorite. They may 
be cads in your estimation, but I am not aware that any of 
them bully their wives or strike their sisters-in-law. And 
these humbler virtues go a long way, in my estimation, 
against the supreme advantages of being a gentleman who 
was kicked out of the army for his misconduct!” 

At this taunt Captain Legh became enraged. 

“ Hold your tongue!” he exclaimed, loudly. “You are 
going a great deal too far. I have told you more than 'once 
that I will not have that episode alluded to. Whether I 
was kicked out of the army (as you elegantly express it) or 
not, I did you the honor to marry you, and you might be 
grateful enough to remember it; but I suppose I am a fool 
to expect gratitude from a woman. You had much better 
have married one of your actor friends. Then you would 
have been in your proper sphere, and your head would 
have kept straight on your shoulders; as it is, I believe you 
are cracked.” 

And Captain Legh settled himself once more comforta- 
bly in his chair, whilst Georgie pressed her hands against 
her burning forehead as if she were trying to understand 
what he had said to her. 

“ Yes,” she ejaculated slowly at last, “ I think it zoould 
have been much better if I had married a man in my own 


28 


MISS HAERIMGTOM^S HUSBAMD. 


profession, who might have b^en of as good birth as your- 
self, and could not have had worse manners. You are al- 
ways running down the profession. You call actors cads, 

' and actresses by names that are far worse. You say the 
stage is a pandemonium, not fit for any decent person to 
belong to, and yet sooner than work yourself you let your 
wife remain on it. That is what puzzles me. The bread 
you eat, the luxuries you enjoy, the very clothes you wear 
upon your back, are paid for by the proceeds of a calling 
which you say is altogether bad, the professors of wliich are 
bad, and not fit associates for decent people. And yet 1 
may associate with them whilst I work for you. Do you 
call that manly 

“ They are in your own rank of life,^^ he answered, 
roughly. “ You have been bred amongst them. You 
have known no other society. 

“ That is a falsehood, Gerard, and you know it, she said. 
“ My father was as good as yours. An ofiicer in the army, 
and an honorable officer, mind you, who did his duty brave- 
ly to the last, but died too soon to leave his widow and 
children comfortably provided for. DonT dare to speak 
loweringly of my parents to me or I will throw up my pro- 
fession at once and make you keep me. How would you 
like that? Most of my caddish actor friends support some- 
body; many of them maintain a family on their earnings. 
They would hardly understand a man living on the labor of 
his wife and insulting her into the bargain. But I suppose 
in your rank of life it is nothing uncommon. Quite the 
tiling, doubtless, in the society you have been bred 
amongst. 

“ Come now, just stop your sarcasm, please, said Ger- 
ard Legh, rising, “ for IVe had enough of it. Give me 
the key. Tm going to bed.-’ ^ 

But Georgie placed herself against the door. 

“ You are not going to bed, Gerard, until we have set- 
tled this matter. It is quite impossible we can go on living 
as we are living now. I have thought over it for months 
past, and I have come to a decision at last. It must be 
put an end to one way or another.-’^ 

“ And pray what do you intend to do?^^ he sneered. 

‘‘You must alter your conduct toward me and mine, or 
we must separate.-’^ 

The idea seemed too ludicrous for him to entertain. He 


MISS HAERINGTON^S HUSBAKD. 29 

did not believe it possible that his wife would ever do such a 
thing. 

‘‘ Separate he repeated. “ You must be mad!^^ 

“I am not mad, Gerard! I am speaking the sober 
truth. This life of disunion is killing me! I can not go 
on with my work whilst it continues. And since our main- 
tenance depends upon me, you must choose the least of two 
evils — control over your temper, or separation. 

‘‘ I will not listen to such folly !^’ he replied, making for 
the door and pushing his wife to one side. “ Give me that 
key at once and let me go!^^ 

“ Not till you promise me never to strike Sissy again. 

“ I will promise nothing of the kind. I am her brother- 
in-law, and shall chastise her as I think fit. 

“You shall not! I will not allow you to have the slight- 
est authority over her.^^ 

“ Yoti will mt allow ! What next? You want bring- 
ing to your senses, madame! Fll pack the brat off to 
school to-morrow if I choose, and so far away that you shall 
never see her. Youfil tell me I have not authority enough 
for that, I suppose. It^s about time you understood that a 
man is master in his own house, whoever is mistress. Give 
me that key,’’' he said, advancing on her threateningly, 
“ and let me go, or I will take it from you!^-’ 

“ Go!” she ejaculated, throwing the key upon the floor, 
“ and I wish it were forever !^^ 

And then she threw her arms out across the table and 
laid her head upon them, and did not say another word to 
him. 

Captain Legh picked up the key immediately, fitted it to 
the lock, and walked upstairs to his bedroom. 

Georgie remained where he had left her. Her brain 
throbbed and ached with doubt and apprehension. Was it 
really true what Gerard said — thaf he had the power to sepa- 
rate her from her sister? — to send Sissy so far away that 
they should never see each other? Surely it was impossi- 
ble. The law would not permit such injustice. But she 
was very ignorant of law, and she had heard it was a tricksy 
thing, and one never knew what complications might not 
spring up if it were meddled with. 

She had never had occasion to submit a question to any 
lawyer nor even see one, except Mr. Harman, who drew up 
her professional contracts for her. He was an old gentle- 


30 


MISS hakrington’s husband. 


man, but very friendly with her (for though old, he could 
admire the beautiful Miss Harrington as well as other men), 
and a sudden idea came into her head as she thought of 
him. Why should she not take his advice on the subject? 
He was experienced and trustworthy, and would never be- 
tray her confidence. She would go the first thing to-mor- 
row morning and ask him what she should do. 

As soon as Georgie Harrington had come to this conclu- 
sion she felt comforted. She had found a friend to whom 
she could confide her difficulties with some hope of receiv- 
ing sound advice in return. 

Her Cousin Marian and Lady Henry, and her bosom 
friend and confidant Louise Fletcher, were all very kind 
and sympathetic, but each one held a different opinion on 
the subject, and gave her different advice. But Mr. Har- 
man would tell her what she was legally able to do in the 
matter, and she would know the best or the worst at once. 

As she was thinking thus, the clock in the hall struck 
three, and she staggered to her feet, giddy with the emotion 
she had passed through, and half-blind from the time she 
had shut her eyes from the light. 

Then she turned out the gas, and, drawing her cloak 
around her, followed her husband upstairs. But she did 
not pause at the door of her own room; she could not have 
entered there with the feelings that were raging in her heart 
that night, but passed swiftly upstairs and crept softly into 
that of Sissy. 

Eachel, who was sitting in the moonlight, rose as she en- 
tered : 

“ Oh, Rachel! why are you not in bed?^^ exclaimed her 
mistress. “ I told you to retire long ago!^^ 

‘‘ I could not rest, madame, whilst you were up and 
about; and I guessed, somehow, that you would sleep here 
to-night. Let me undress you, madame, and see you com- 
fortable in Miss Sissy’s bed, and then I will goto my own.” 

Georgie Harrington was not the sort of woman to con- 
fide in her servants, but there was no need to do so. Her 
pallid face, and trembling frame, and deep-drawn sighs, 
combined with the sounds that had reached her from below, 
told Rachel that another of those unhappy dissensions that 
were becoming so patent to the household had taken place, 
and made her mistress ill and unhappy. She undressed 
her in silence, therefore, and saw her lie down by her little 


MISS HARRIKGTOJST^S HUSBAOT. 31 

sister’s side, and turn her face upon the pillows as if she 
meant to go to sleep. 

But long after Rachel had left her the unhappy wife lay 
alent, tearless, but wide awake, thinking over the coming 
interview with Mr. Harman, and wondering how much legal 
right she had to the possession of Sissy. 


CHAPTER V. 

THE BOSOM FRIEHDS. 

It was a matter of wonder to most people why Georgie 
Harrington should have made a bosom friend of Louise 
Fletcher. For, in the first place, Mrs. Fletcher was double 
her age. She was not on the stage, nor had ever been con- 
nected with it, although it was part of her creed to believe 
that, had she been an actress, she would have made a tre- 
mendous success. 

If ‘ ^ Hickey ” — as she used pathetically to observe — would 
only have let her come out as “ Portia,” or ‘‘ Juliet,” or 
“ Ophelia,” she was certain she should have raised the 
town. 

But then ‘‘ Hickey ” was so absurdly jealous of her asso- 
ciating with any other gentleman. And, considering that 
“ Hickey ” was thirty, whilst she was fifty, it was certainly 
very absurd — that is to say, if it were true. 

He was a rising actor, and much employed in the prov- 
inces, so that Mrs. Fletcher’s time was at her own disposal, 
and she generally chose to spend it with Georgie Harring- 
ton. 

She had been a good-looking widow, with a plump joint- 
ure, when he married her, and they had lived together very 
comfortably ever since. Louise (whose real name was 
Mary Ann), apparently adored her ‘‘ Hickey,” and he let 
her do exactly as she chose. Her greatest troubles, per- 
haps, were the signs of her advancing age, which she strove 
carefully to hide by plenty of false hair, powder, and rouge. 
She wore girlish eostumes, and roguish little hats with spot- 
ted veils, which took off, perhaps, five years from her age 
whilst they were on. 

It is needless to say, after this description, that Louise 
Fletcher was not a clever woman — indeed, in most things 
she was singularly foolish — and therefore it seemed all the 


32 


MISS HAERINGTON^S HUSBAKD. 


more strange that a sensible creature like Georgie Harring- 
ton should choose her for a confidante. 

The secret lay in the fact that Louise Fletcher bore an 
appearance of the utmost sweetness and simplicity. Her 
voice was as soft as that of a cooing dove; and she always 
evinced the greatest sympathy' and interest in the suffer- 
ings of her friends. 

Georgie had heard that Louise ^s servants could tell a 
different story, but she never believed it. Mrs. Fletcher 
had always expressed so sincere an affection for herself. 
She was so ready to help in times of emergency. She so 
frankly acknowledged the superiority of her friend ^s tal- 
ents, and was so grateful for direction and advice, that 
Georgie could as soon have believed in her own powers of 
deception as in those of Louise. Added to wLich, Mrs. 
Fletcher was so constant a visitor to the house, that it 
would have been difficult to keep any of its secrets from 
her. 

She lived in the same street, and seldom passed a day 
without looking in, so that it became quite natural at last 
for Georgie to confide in her and tell her all her troubles. 

She believed Mrs. Fletcher to be so sincerely honest in 
her affection — so true in her actions— and so honorable in 
keeping a trust, that she looked upon her as her best and 
truest friend. 

notwithstanding the difference in their ages, and tastes, 
and ideas, she regarded her as a sister, and would have 
shared with her all that she possessed or could procure. 

On the morning after the scene narrated in the last chap- 
ter, Georgie Harrington rose from her bed with a heavy 
head and a heavier heart, and without taking any further 
refreshment than a cup of tea, walked straight down-stairs 
to the carriage, which was waiting to take her to Mr. Har- 
man’s. As she stepped upon the pavement she ran up 
against Mrs. Fletcher, arrayed in a youthful costume of 
blue and white. 

Why, where are you going, Georgie, dear?” she de- 
manded. “ Have you a rehearsal that you are off so early? 
I was just coming in to see you!” 

“ I have no rehearsal, but I am going out on business. 
Come with me, Louise. The presence of a friend will give 
me courage, and you know I have no concealments from 
you.” 


MISS HARRINGTOM'S HUSBAis'D. 33 

“ I should hope not, dear, any more than I have from 
you,^^ cried Mrs. Fletcher, skipping into the carriage. “ I 
was only going into North Audley Street to get something 
for my Dickey. But perhaps you will drop me there as 
you return.^'’ 

“ Yes, yes, anywhere P"’ responded her friend; ‘^butl 
must drive first to Mr. Harman. I am so anxious to catch 
him before he goes out. 

Then, as the brougham set off, she added : 

‘‘ Oh, I am so unhappy, Louise! Things are worse with 
us than they have ever been, and I am going to consult my 
solicitor, Mr. Harman, about it. Gerard threatens to send 
Sissy to school without my consent. Do you think he can 
do it?” 

I am sure I don’t know, dear. I remember Major 
Mudhead took all his children away from his wife because 
she entered the Roman Catholic Church. There is no say- 
ing what the law will permit men to do nowadays!” 

Oh, it is cruel — it is infamous,” exclaimed Georgie, 

to take my little sister from me whom I love so dearly! 
It will kill me — it will kill me!” 

“But why should he wish to do it, darling?” said Mrs. 
Fletcher, insinuatingly. “ Does he want to spite you? Is 
he jealous, do you think?” 

Jealous!” repeated Georgie, starting. “Of loliom 
should he be jealous? You know he is the only man I have 
cared for in my life. ” 

“ Ah, yes, dear, of course I do! But men are so unrea- 
sonable. There’s my Dickey now; when he is playing in 
town he will never allow me to go behind the scenes. He 
is so terribly afraid of any man even looking at me. And 
yet I never flirt, do I? And I have heard Captain Legh 
talk very disparagingly of Mr. Brabazon Chauncey. He 
told me one day that he believed you cared more for him 
than for any one else in the world.” 

“ Gerard must have been in a very obstructive mood that 
time,” replied Georgie, half-smiling at the idea, although 
she felt so miserable. “ I have known Brabazon Chauncey 
(who must be sixty if he is a day) ever since I went on the 
stage, and he has been one of my kindest friends; indeed, I 
consider I owe all my success to him. He is a theatrical 
agent, as you know, and I never see him except on busi- 
ness, like any other lady. Why my husband should have 


34 MISS haeeimgtok's husband. 

taken such a dislike to him is a mystery to me. He has 
been his best friend also, if he only knew it. But here we 
are at Mr. Harman ^s office. He is about seventy-five. I 
suppose Gerard would be jealous of Mm if he knew I was 
about to pay him a visit. But with you by my side, Louise, 
there can be no impropriety in my seeing him."’"' 

Mr. Harman received the two ladies with much courtesy, 
and was greatly surpised to hear the import of Miss Har- 
rington’s visit. She rushed at her fences, as such impetu- 
ous women always do, without giving the poor old gentle- 
man the least preparation for what was coming. 

‘‘Mr. Harman, I want you to answer me a question! 
Can Captain Legh, my husband, put my little sister to a 
boarding-school without my consent?” 

“ Bless my soul. Miss Harrington! you take my breath 
away! I didn’t know you had a little sister!” 

‘ ‘ Yes, I have ! — Sissy Harrington — twelve years old. Her 
mother died when she was only three, and I promised her I 
would never part with the child. I have educated her at 
home, till now, but” — and here Georgie colored deeply, 
“ but things have not been very happy at home lately, and 
Captain Legh says now he will part me from my sister. 
Can he do it? That is all I want to know.” 

“ My dear young lady, you distress me very much!” re- 
plied Mr. Harman. “ TMngs not liajypy at home! Hear! 
dear! very sad — very sad!” 

“ I assure you, Mr. Harman,” commenced Mrs. Fletch- 
er, mincingly, “ that Miss Harrington has not conveyed to 
your mind a tithe of what she has to endure. Captain 
Legh behaves at times in the most violent manner toward 
her, and makes her life a perfect misery. ” 

“ Hush, Louise! hush!” said her friend, entreatingly; 
“ that has nothing to do with the matter in hand. Let us 
keep to it. ” 

“ Well, dear, I’ve known you ever since your marriage, 
and if any one has felt for your sufferings it is myself!” 

“ I know you mean kindl}^,” said Georgie, “ but it is use- 
less to trouble Mr. Harman with anything that is irrele- 
vant to the subject of my sister. All I wish to know is, if 
my husband has the power to take her from me?” 

The solicitor looked perplexed. 

“ I must ask you a few questions first. Miss Harrington. 


MISS HARRINGTOX’S HUSBAIsD. 


35 


Was there any agreement between you and Ca23tain Legh 
relative to your sister before you married him?” 

‘‘ Kone at all. She had always lived with me, and I 
never contemplated a separation between us. 

And she is of an age to go to school, you say? On what 
pretext does your husband propose to send her there?^^ 
‘‘He says she is rude and impertinent — but it is not 
true! — and that her presence in the house annoys him.^^ 

“ And he does not intend, as I understand, to resort to 
any unusual means to separate you; he merely wishes to 
place her at a boarding-school?^^ 

“ That is all; but it is everything to me, Mr. Harman. 
It will break my heart to part with her!^'’ 

“ My dear young lady, you will get over it, and Captain 
Legh will think better, perhaps, of his proposition. I hope 
sincerely he may, for I see no way of stopping him!^^ 

“ JVo wai/ of stopping him I” cried Georgie, aghast. “ Oh, 
Mr. Harman, donT say that! He struck her last night, 
poor little thing! though she has never been struck in her 
life before; and he abused me — oh! I can not tell you how 
he abused me! — and if he separates me from Sissy, I — I — 
But here Georgie^s feelings overcame her, and she burst 
into tears. 

“ My dear sir,^^ Mrs. Fletcher seized the opportunity to 
say^ ‘‘ you must indeed think of some means by which to 
prevent such an outrage. Miss Harrington has enough to 
bear as it is. She works hard, night and day, at her pro- 
fession, and if her mind is upset, she suffers both physically 
and mentally. I have seen her so ill, and in such distress 
at the same time, that you would have wondered how she 
ever got through her work.'^ 

“I can quite understand it,^"* returned the solicitor, 

“ and no one admires Miss Harrington’s courage more 
than I do. But the fact remains that if a man maintains 
his wife’s sister, he has a right to decide where and how he 
shall maintain her.” 

“ But he maintain her!” exclaimed Georgie, sud- 

denly raising her tear-stained face from the shelter of her 
hands. “ Captain Legh doesn’t maintain any of us. I 
pay for the house, and the servants, and the carriage, and 
everything out of my own earnings. How should he main- 
tain us? He has only two hundred a year of his own, and 
his club bill amounts to more.” 


36 MISS Harrington's husband. 

‘‘ That quite alters the case, my dear madame," said the 
old gentleman, rubbing his hands — that quite alters the 
case. Then you may have everytTiing your own way. Your 
money is your own, and the entire disposition of it lies in 
your hands. Y ou may bank it, or invest it, or spend it as 
you choose; and Captain Legh has no more right to touch 
it, or to order how it shall be expended, than I have. The 
Married Woman's Property Act leaves you completeJy 
free!’’^ 

“ Free /" ejaculated Georgie Harrington. Is it possi- 
ble? Free to do as I choose with Sissy and myself? But 
my husband told me yesterday that a man is always master 
in his own house. 

“ Ah, there you open up another branch of the question 
to which I should like to direbt your attention,-’ ' replied 
Mr. Harman. “As far as your own earnings or any 
money left you are concerned, you are free to will them 
away or dispose of them as you may think fit. But mar- 
riage is an indissoluble tie; you can not get rid of that. 
And if Captain Legh chose to make himself disagreeable in 
consequence of your taking the law into your own hands he 
might, you know — he might. He can not, for example, 
put your sister to school against your consent without run- 
ning the risk of your refusing to supply funds for his 
wants; but, on the other hand, if you insist upon keeping 
her at home, there is no law to prevent his behaving un- 
kindly to her — that is, within certain limits. " 

“ But may he strike and hurt herr'^ asked Georgie. 

“ Well, hardly that, perhaps; and yet there are cases in 
which the law would uphold a brother-in-law, standing in 
the position of guardian to a child, striking her, if neces- 
sary for discipline; and it is difficult to draw the line be- 
tween what is necessary and what is not. ■ So I should ad- 
vise a little judicious temporizing; a httle soothing over of 
these domestic troubles; a little oiling of the wheels, as it 
were, so that Captain Legh may be coaxed rather than 
forced to keep the peace at home. 

Georgie Harrington sat silent for a few moments, taking 
in the old man’s advice; then she suddenly exclaimed: 

“ Mr. Harman, can I legally accept a provincial engage- 
ment without the previous consent of my husband?’-’ 

“ Certainly. Captain Legh can follow you about, or in- 


MISS HARBINGTOM^S HUSBAMP. 


37 


sist upon your returning honle to fulfill the duties of a 
wife; but in that case he must maintain himself and you/’ 

‘‘ Thank you,” she sjfid, rising. “ Yau have enlight- 
ened me very much this morning, and you have given me 
comfort, at least so far as my sister is concerned. Nothing 
shall induce me to part with her.” 

“ I hope you may be as successful in this, my dear young 
lady,” replied Mr. Harman, holding h^ hand, “ as you 
have been in everything else you have attempted. Don’t 
be faint-hearted,” he continued, as he saw the tears stand- 
ing on her cheeks. ‘‘ All may be right yet; indeed I feel 
sure it will, for a man must be worse than a brute to with- 
stand such eyes as yours. ” 

“ Ah, Mr. Harman!” exclaimed Louise Fletcher, as’ 
Georgie passed swiftly down to her carriage, ‘‘ he is worse 
than a brute, I can assure you; and if my Dickey (I am 
the wife of the celebrated tragedian, Richard Fletcher) had 
treated me half as badly, I should have left him long ago. ” 

As she prepared to enter the brougham, Georgie asked 
her to give the coachman directions to drive to a certain 
number in John Street, Adelphi. 

“Isn’t that Mr. Brabazon Ohauncey’s address?” Mrs. 
Fletcher inquired, as she took* her seat beside her. 

“Yes; he offered me an engagement with the ‘Valley 
of Joy Company,’ and I mean to accept it. I will take 
Sissy away from London, and I will live on tour with some 
other lady; and then if Gerard follows us, which is very 
unlikely, he will be ashamed to ill-treat the child in the 
presence of a third party.” 

“ Oh, my dear girl, he will not follow you. Fancy the 
refined and elegant Captain Legh knocking about the coun- 
try with a company of provincial actors. Fancy his chang- 
ing his residence every week, and putting up with second- 
rate lodgings and third-rate cooking. But I don’t like to 
think of your doing it, my darling Georgie. You have not 
been used to it, and you can have no idea how uncomfort- 
able it is. I went once with my Dickey, when we were 
bride and bridegroom, you know, and I could hardly stand 
it even then. Some of the beds were like sacks of potatoes, 
and the coffee and tea were never fit to drink.” 

“ Oh, I sha’n’t mind that!” exclaimed Georgie, despair- 
ingly, “ I shall mind notliing so long as I am at peace; but 
I can not endure these constant quarrels. Louise, they are 


38 


MISS haerikgtom's husband. 

taking all my heart out of me; and when there is added to 
them a constant fear for Sissy, life wdll be insupportable. 
We were so happy/ ^ she added, in a broken voice, ‘‘ before 
dear mother died ! There w^as never a dissentient word 
heard in our household; and now it is all jar and discord. 
Oh, Louise! sometimes I almost wish that I had never seen 
him!^^ 


CHAPTER YI. 

THE AMERICAN MANAGER. 

Mr. Brabazon Ohauncey has already been named as 
a theatrical agent. His offices, situated in the most cen- 
tral position of the Strand, were easy of access to his clients, 
, vvho found every comfort provided for them when they ar- 
rived there. 

An outer chamber, furnished as a reading-room, liberal- 
ly supplied wdth all the papers of the day, and ornamented 
by portraits of the leading actors and actresses (amongst 
which Miss Harrington prominently figured), received the 
visitors, until Mr. Brabazon Ohauncey was ready to see 
them. 

And into an inner sanctum, severely fitted with an official 
desk, behind which the theatrical agent sat, with keen eyes, 
ready to detect every fault in the faces and figures submit- 
ted to him, the ladies and gentlemen yet unattached were 
tremblingly ushered, one by one, to hear their doom. 

In these offices Georgie Harrington felt quite at home. 
She had known Brabazon Ohauncey ever since she was a 
child. 

He was a friend of her late mother’s, and had been the 
first to perceive her talent, and to place her on the stage, 
where he had watched over her carefully ever since. 

Every engagement she had fulfilled had been made for 
her by Brabazon Oiiauncey. He cherished a high idea of 
her talent, and believed that in time she would reach the 
very top of the tree. 

Her marriage and subsequent retirement from the stage 
had been a great disappointment to tliis kind old friend. 
He thought her career was over, and hated the very name 
of Oaptain Gerard Legh. 

When, a year afterward, it was found that her husband 


MISS HARKIN' GTOH^S HUSBAHD. 39 

had spent the few hundreds he possessed, and was in debt 
besides, and Georgie came timidly to him to ask if he could 
procure her an engagement on the stage, he actually re- 
joiced over what most men would have regarded as a ca- 
lamity. 

By his influence she had been placed on the boards of the 
Delphian, and remained there ever since. And when Mr. 
Brabazon Chauncey found that the theater was to be closed 
for repairs,! he urged her to accept a provincial engagement 
until it reopened. He had heard but little from herself of 
her domestic life, but he guessed a good deal ; and rumors 
had reached him through others, so that he knew as much 
of her troubles as most people; and he was keeping the en- 
gagement open as long as he could, in hopes of inducing 
her to accept it. 

As Georgie and Louise entered the waiting-room that 
morning, they found it full of young men and women. 
Naturally Miss Harrington^s face was well known to most 
of them ; and whilst some whispered to each othei- ivho she 
was, others rushed up with extended hand to ask after her 
health, whilst her name was freely bandied about amongst 
them. 

The commotion raised by her appearance attracted the 
attention of a gentleman, apparently a stranger, who was 
walking about the room, and examining the photographed 
faces on the walls by the aid of a magnifying glass. 

He was an uncommon-looking man, and yet he did not 
appear to be a foreigner. By his countenance he appeared 
almost young — certainly not more than thirty- five to forty 
—yet his hair was perfectly gray. , 

He had keen dark eyes— with bushy brows and long 
lashes — and (with the exception of a small mustache, some 
shades darker than his hair) a clean shorn face. 

He was dressed more formally than an Englishman 
would have been at that early hour, w^earing a frock-coat 
and dark trousers. He wore a magnificent diamond pin 
and finger-ring — both matchless in their way — and they 
were the only ornaments upon him. 

But from the moment this gentleman's eyes fell upon 
Georgie Han'ington he never removed them, but earnestly 
watched each expression of her face and movement of her 
figure. 

This maneuver, unseen by the person who caused it, con- 


40 


MISS HAKKINGTOM^S HUSBAND. 


tinued tor some ten minutes,, when a lad appeared from the 
inner office, and, addressing the gentleman, said: 

Mr. Brabazon Ohauncey will see you now, sir.^^ 
Without responding, the stranger bent down his mouth 
to the clerk^s ear, and whispered: 

Who is that young lady in the brown costume?’^ 

Miss Harrington, sir, of the Delphian,^'’ replied the 
lad, in the same tone, as he opened the door of Mr. Chaun- 
cey^s office, and ushered the gentleman into the presence of 
the agent. 

“ How are 5 ^ou, Maxim?^^ exclaimed the latter. “ Have 
you had a good look at my young ladies? William tells 
me the office is full this morning, and I can give you the 
pick of the London chamber-maids j ust now. Hever knew 
the market so flooded as it is. Hot enough comedy in the 
pieces nowadays. Have you found a leading lady yet?^^ 

‘‘ Ho! Ohauncey, what^s that girl worth who^s just ar- 
rived, in the brown costume? Your man said she^s a Miss 
Harrington. 

‘‘ By George! Peters, is Miss Harrington, of the Del- 
phian, in the next room?^^ 

“ Yes, sir; came about ten minutes ago.^^ 

‘Hfll see her next. Why, Maxim, that^s Georgie Har- 
rington, who^s been playing lead for the last two years at 
the Delphian. Haven^t you seen her in ‘ The Siren 

“ Of course I have! I thought I recognized her face. 
By all the powers, Ohauncey, she^s the loveliest woman I 
ever saw!^^ 

I believe you, my boy; and as good off the stage as on. 

‘‘ I must enga^ her, Ohauncey! What’s her price? 
They would go mad over her in Hew York Oity!^^ 

“ I dare say, but she’s not to be had. I have been try- 
ing to get her into the provinces, but she won’t even leave 
London. Made a love-match, you know, and all that con- 
founded sort of thing. Left the stage altogether at one 
time, but came on again after a twelvemonth. The best 
emotional actress we have on the boards, Maxim, but you 
won’t get her to cross the duck-23ond.” 

I’ll give her four hundred dollars a week, and a cer- 
tain engagement for two years, if she’ll take it, Ohauncey. 
Make the offer to her, at all events, and see what she savs 
to it.” 


MISS HARRIHGTOH'S HUSBAND. 


41 


“ I will if you wish ifc, but I warn you that it will be of 
no use. Didn^t you say something to me last week about 
wanting a principal dancer?^ ^ 

“ Dash the principal dancer — I want Miss Harrington. 
Such melting eyes, such a lissom figure, and such an en- 
chanting smile! I wouldn^’t mind going to five hundred 
dollars if she^ll sign for a settled time. 

“ Look here, my dear fellow, what's the good of raving 
in this manner over the unattainable? Mademoiselle Marie 
Zedrowna will have completed her contract with the Brus- 
sels Opera Company in October next, and could be with 
you by the fifteenth of November. " 

“ I don't want to hear anything about her!" cried Seth 
Maxim, impatiently. “ Settle my business with the god- 
dess in the room yonder or I'll never speak to you again. " 

“In that case we had better say good-bye at once, 
laughed Brabazon Chauncey, “ for I am confident she is 
not to be bought at any price. Why, her husband, the 
Honorable Gerard Legh, is a son of Lord Kinlock. I do 
not suppose he would hear of her leaving the country. " 

“ Why is she on the stage, then?" demanded the Amer- 
ican manager., 

“ Ah, well, there are private reasons for that. Captain 
Legh is extravagant, and his family are cool toward him on 
account of his, having married this girl, who is worth the 
whole lot of them put together. So her husband lets her 
act in London, but has never allowed her to leave it yet." 

“ She supports him, in fact?" said Maxim. 

“ Something very much like it," returned Chauncey. 

“ A queer state of things," responded the American. 
“ Why, in our country, sir, a man who permitted such a 
thing would be hooted out of society, and the woman who 
did it would be thought none the better of. I have learned 
a good deal since I came to England, but nothing that has 
surprised me more tlian to see how the men will live upon 
the women, and yet oppose every effort they make to sup- 
port themselves. We treat the sex better in America, sir. 
It has been called the paradise of women, and it deserves 
its name." 

“ It is a grand country, Mr. Maxim, there is no doubt of 
that. But now, if you are in earnest about making this 
proposal to Miss Harrington, you had better pass out of my 
private door and round by the left into the waiting-room 


42 


MISS HAEKIi^CTTOK'S HUSBAN-D. 


again, and I will send for Georgie and speak to her on the 
subject. But mind — I give you no hope."''’ 

“ kSIio doesnH leave this office until she takes my offer/^ 
said Seth Maxim, as he complied with his friend's request. 

Peters, show in Miss Harrington," was the next order 
issued by Brabazon Chauncey, and in another minute 
Georgie was standing before him. He rose eagerly and 
took both her hands. 

“Why, my child, what's the matter with you? You 
look fagged and ill I Is the work too much for you at the 
Delphian? The season closes on the twelfth of August, 
doesn't it? You will soon have rest." 

“ Oh, no, dear Mr. Chauncey, it isn't the work," said 
Georgie. “ I like it. The variety, the excitement, they 
do me good; I could not live without them. It isn't that; 
it is — it is," she went on stammering, “ that I feel I want 
a little change. London is so close, you know, and you 
said something the other day about the ‘ Valley of Joy 
Company. ' " 

“ Do you mean to tell me that you have decided to take 
a provincial engagement?" exclaimed Mr. Chauncey, as he 
made her seat herself. “ But what does Captain Legh say 
to that?" 

“ Oh! he doesn't mind," replied Georgie, in a faltering 
voice, as the tears began to drop upon her gloved hands, 
“ that is, he has no right to object. I am legally entitled 
to make my own contracts; and I want to get away for a 
few months, Mr, Chauncey. It will be best for all of us. 
Perhaps— perhaps — after a little separation—" but here 
her voice failed her, and she was unable to proceed further. 

“ Georgie, my dear girl," said Brabazon Chauncey, “ I 
am afraid you are not very hapj^y at home." 

“ No," she answered, in a low tone, “ I am not." 

“ And that is the reason you wish to leave London — and 
— and Caj^tain Legh?" 

“Yes! I have never told you so much before, and I 
dare say you will be surprised to hear it now, but we can 
not agree, Mr. Chauncey. It is of no use trying; and it is 
better w’-e should part. " 

“ The ^ Valley of Joy Company ' expects to he on tour 
for six or eight months. ' AVill that be too long for you, 
Georgie?" 

“ The longer the better." 


MISS Harrington's husband. 


43 


‘‘And Mr. Merrick will give j^oii forty pounds a week ! 
Will that satisfy your’’^ 

“ I would go for half. I want peace, not profit. 

“ But it is not business-like to say so, my dear. How- 
ever, if your wants are so small, I think I have something 
in hand that will suit you better. What do you say to a 
New York engagement at double the terms 

“ New York! America she exclaimed, startled by the 
idea.^ “ And I could take Sissy with me?^^ 

“You can take a regiment with you, if you choose to 
pay their expenses. The facts are these. My friend, Mr. 
Seth Maxim, of the Excelsior Theater, in New York, is 
over here looking for novelties; and he has seen you in 
‘ The Siren, ^ and wants to engage your services. He is in 
the waiting-room now. If you think you would care ta 
cross the water, 1^11 call him in to make his own bargain 
with you. If you don’t fancy the idea, say so, and I will 
close with Merrick.” 

“ How long must I remain in America?” asked Georgie,- 
with a white, strained face. 

“ Maxim will give you a larger salary if you will sign for 
three years; but I advise you not to sign for any stipulated 
period. The climate is treacherous. It might not agree 
with you; or Sissy or you might wish to return home for 
other reasons. But that you must arrange with him. The 
present question is, will you go?” 

“ Yes,” replied Georgie, determinedly, but with clinched 
teeth, “ I toill go !” 

“ Peters, call in Mr. Seth Maxim,” said Brabazon 
Chauncey, and he wondered to hear how hard Georgie was 
breathing during the interval that ensued. 

The American manager entered the sanctum. 

“ Maxim, let me present Miss HarringtorTtb you,” said 
Chauncey. “ I have been talking to Miss Harrington about 
the matter we were discussing just now, and she thinks 
she should like to visit America, if you come to terms to- 
gether. So you had better tell your own story.” 

“lam delighted to hear of your decision. Miss Harring- 
ton!” exclaimed Maxim; “ and I give you my word you 
shall not regret it. You will be appreciated in our coun- 
try, madame. We knoVv talent when we see it, and when 
we see it we acknowledge it.. Your genius will meet with a 


44 MISS HAEEINGTOK^S HUSBAND. 

due reception at the Excelsior. Has our good friend men- 
tioned terms to you?” 

“Mr. Ohauncey said something about them/^ com- 
menced Georgie. 

“We shall be happy to offer you four hundred dollars a 
week for three years certain.'’^ 

“How much is four hundred dollars a week ?^^ demanded 
Georgie, innocently. 

“ Eighty pounds, madanie, of your English money; or 
five hundred dollars a week for a twelvemonth ^s engage- 
ment, renewable at option.-’^ 

“ 1 could not bind myself down to remain away for three 
years,” she said, with a deep sigh. '“ I have home-ties, 
Mr. Maxim. 

“ So I understand, madame. Shall we say, then, five 
hundred for a twelvemonth?^^ 

“ Yes,^^ she replied, trembling at her temerity. 

“ With a higher salary in case Miss Harrington remains 
with you .more than a twelvemonth?^^ put in Brabazon 
Ohauncey. 

“Of course — of course! The lady understands that, 
said Seth Maxim. 

“ That may be, but we had better have it down on pa- 
per,” said the practical agent. “ Here, Maxim,” he con- 
tinued, handing him the necessary materials, “just scribble 
down your terms, and my clerk will give us a fair copy in 
ten minutes. ^ ^ 

Peters was .dispatched to his work, whilst Mr. Maxim 
enlarged on the beauties and delights of New York City to 
his new leading lady, and 'she listened with a heart throb- 
bing with pain and fear. AYlien the document was ready 
and she was told to sign her name, she grasped the pen 
with an energy which showed the desperate state she was 
in, and could hardly see what she wrote for the tears that 
blinded her eyes. 

“ I shall start for New York City on the twenty-seventh 
day of August, and you will be ready to accompany me 
then. Miss Harrington?” 

“ I shall be quite ready, Mr. Maxim. ” 

‘ ‘ That will allow us a month for rehearsal before we re- 
oj^en. You won't find that we scamp our work at the Ex- 
celsior, madame.” 

“ And I trust I shall not be the first to set the example. 


MISS HAKRIMGTOl^^S HUSBAl^D. 45 

Mr. Maxim. Mill you excuse me if I leave you now: I 
have a good deal of business on hand to-day, and doubtless 
we shall meet again soon. I play in ‘ Fedora ^ next week, 
if you wiir come and see me. Good-bye, dear Mr. Ohaun- 
cey_, and thank you. My theatrical life has been one long 
string of thanks to you.'’^ 

She shook herself free of them as quickly as she could, 
and, calling Louise Fletcher, ran down to her carriage, and 
gave the order for “ Home.^^ 

“ What a time you have been, dear! I thought you 
were never coming out again,^^ said Mrs. Fletcher. Have 
you accepted the engagement for the ‘ Valley of Joy 

“ Ho, no! Oh, Louise, I have done an awful thing which 
I can hardly contemplate without a shudder! I have signed 
a contract to go to America. ^ ^ 

“ To America,’^ cried Louise Fletcher. Going to leave 
us all for America! It is impossible !^^ 

It is not impossible,^ ^ said Georgie Harrington, burst- 
ing into tears. It is done and it can not be undone. I 
am going to leave him.. I am going to America !^^ 


CHAPTER VII. 

THE ARISTOCRATIC FAMILY. 

A FEW mornings after Georgie Harrington had signed 
her contract with the American manager, the family of the 
Earl of Kinlock were assembled round the breakfast-tablQ 
at Summerhayes, a country-seat distant some twenty min- 
utes by rail from London. 

It would have been difficult for a stranger, newly intro- 
duced to the circle, to believe that the Honorable Gerard 
Legh had any connection with it, and yet he was the 
youngest son of the house. 

Lord Kinlock, a venerable nobleman of seventy, might 
have stood for the portrait of a country squire, so round, 
and rubicund, and simple was the face, with its twinkling 
blue eyes and coronet of white hair, which he presented to 
the public; whilst his countess was an amiable, old-fash- 
ioned, and primly-dres^d lady, who devoted all her time 
and thoughts to the conversion of the wicked and the relief 
of the poor. Her two daughters. Lady Hester and Lady 


46 3kliss hakrikgton's husband. 

Alice ' Legli, had been brought up to regard life from the 
same point of view as their parents; and the elder brother, 
Lord Moberley, although long since married and settled in 
a home of his own, never failed to fall in with the family 
rules whenever he visited Summerhayes. 

Lord and Lady Kinlock never went to a theater, and 
never sanctioned a member of their household doing so. 
They looked upon the stage as a sink of iniquity, and its 
professors as lost souls. With such opinions their feelings 
may better be imagined than described, when, three years 
before, they heard that their youngest son had commi tted 
the awful error of marrying an actress. 

The Honorable Gerard had always been a source of anx- 
iety to them. He was at once the beauty arid the bane of 
the family. Lord Moberley was a very commonplace-look- 
ing individual, and the ladies Legh were decidedly plain. 
But then they never did anything they ought not to do. It 
was reserved for Gerard to fulfill the proverb that beauty 
is a snare. He had begun by being expelled from school 
for insulting the masters. He had followed this up by be- 
ing advised to resign his commission in the army on account 
of some foolish practical joking, and he had ended his 
career by marrying Georgie Harrington. 

To Lord and Lady Kinlock this did indeed seem the end 
of all things. They had been seriously displeased at his 
compulsory retirement from the service, and had decided 
on that occasion that he should live thenceforth upon his 
income, which was at that time about five hundred a year. 
Yet they would have relented, and increased his allowance, 
’had he married according to their wishes. But his union 
with an actress was so terrible a disgrace and shame in their 
eyes that they abandoned him to his fate. The fate had 
seemed rather an enviable one in the honeymoon days. 

Gerard had secured the only girl whom he loved, and 
was the proud possessor of one of the most beautiful and 
talented women in England. And in the first flush of his 
triumph he had been foolishly extravagant. Without let- 
ting his wife know the extent of his income, he had dived 
into the principal in order to “ cut a dash,-’^ until he had 
impoverished himself, and compelled her to resume her 
profession. « 

Of this, however, the Kinlocks knew nothing. The 
‘ ‘ actress had been a sealed book to them. 


MISS HAKRIKGTON^S HUSBAOT. 

On first hearing the fatal news of their connection 
her, they had requested Captain Legh never to mention ^ 
subject to them, and he had obeyed their wishes. 

They did not refuse him admittance to Summerhayes. 
He was their son, and had a right to enter there, but they 
never inquired after his wife. 

He might have been a bachelor, for the silence that was 
maintained regarding her. Even his sisters appeared to 
have no curiosity on the subject, or to shrink from it, as if 
it W'as an unholy thing. 

Therefore Gerardos visits to Summerhayes had become 
like angels^ — few and far between; and it was with general 
astonishment that, as his family were sitting at breakfast 
that morning, they saw the door open to admit him. 

Captain Legh. looked .worn and weary, not to say dissi- 
pated; and liis pale looks and air of fashionable languor 
were a strong contrast to the homely, healthy appearance 
of his parents and sisters. 

‘‘Why, Gerard!^'’ said his father, elevating his eyebrows, 
“ this is a surprise! What brings you down so early 

“ How are you, Gerard?'^ demanded his mother, as she 
busied herself with the arrangements of the breakfast-table. 
She spoke indifferently, almost coldly, but she felt more 
than she chose to express. 

This son had once been a very favorite child of hers. 
W^hat mother is not proud of a handsome, distinguished- 
looking son, even though he has been somewhat thoughtless 
and unruly? 

Lady Kinlock^s heart went out to Gerard, although her 
principles forbade her showing it. And so she covered up 
her natural feelings with an affectation which she called 
maintaining her dignity. 

“ I^ni well enough, thanks. How are .you all?^^ he an- 
swered, nodding round the table, as he sunk into a chair. 
“ I came up to see you on business, father, but it will wait 
until breakfast is over.'’ ^ • 

“ Will you not join us, Gerard?’^ 

“No, thanks. I never eat so early, and I had a cup of 
coffee before I started. But if you will allow me, ITl light 
a cigar. 

“ The open air is a better place for smoking in, this 
weather, than the breakfast-room,^'’ observed Lady Kin- 
lock, dryly. 


MISS harrikgton's husbakd. 

ou are right, mother. I will go and take a turn oht- 

^ until my father is at liberty. I only thought that^ as 
jL have to go back to town almost immediately, I would see 
as much of you as I could whilst I stayed here.^’’ 

He rose as he spoke, and lounged in his ‘‘ haw-haw 
style toward the French windows, which stood open to the 
ground. 

Lady Kinlock sighed. 

She would have preferred his throwing his cigar away. 

But Lady Alice jumped up from her seat and prepared 
to follow him. She was the liveliest of the lot, and some- 
times chafed under the rigid discipline imposed on her; and 
she had a great affection, too, for her younger brother, 
and pitied while she condemned him. 

“I hope nothing is wrong, Gerard she said, as she 
joined him. 

Why should you think anything is wrong? 

“ You look so anxious and worried — and you are so 
pale. 

“ Merely the effect of a London season, my dear! You 
would look pale too if you were up, night after night, until 
the small hours of the morning.’’^ 

‘‘ I am very glad that 1 am not!^^ rejoined Lady Alice, 
primly. I think papa and mamma are very wise not to 
permit Hester or me to mix in such scenes, nor to set us 
the example of doing so. 

Oh, certainly! How soon do you think my father will 
be ready to see me?^^ 

“ As soon as he has spoken to Nevill! He always gives 
him his orders for the day the first thing after breakfast. 

“ Have you heard from Moberley lately? Hoes he re- 
main in Scotland for the grouse season this year?’^ asked 
Gerard, thinking he might get an invitation out of his 
richer brother. 

‘‘ I believe not! Mamma had a letter from Helen yester- 
day, in which she says something about spending the au- 
tumn at Cannes. 

‘ Vust like my luck!^^ grumbled Gerard. ‘‘ And where 
are you going yourselves?'’'’ 

I am not aware that we shall move. Papa and mam- 
ma owe a visit to the Brackleys, but if they leave home 
Hester and I shall stay behind. We don^t care for gayety 


MISS HARRII^GTON^S HUSBAND. 49 

and fashion, you know, and we have so many poor jDeople 
dependent on us here, that we can not well be spared. 

“ That is all nonsense returned her brother, contempt- 
uously. I never saw anything like the absurd manner 
in which you and my mother coop yourselves up at Sum- 
merhayes. Why can not she take her place in society 
like other women of her rank and position? Every one re- 
marks on it, and it is a very unpleasant question to have to 
answer, I can tell you!” 

“I can quite understand Gerard!” said the voice 
of LadyKinlock, close behind them; and that you would 
feel it more than others. For none knows better than 
yourself the obstacles that have been placed in the way of 
my taking up a residence in London, even if I wished to 
do so.” 

At this interruption Captain Legh placed his cigar again 
in his mouth, and answered nothing. 

Your father is ready to see you now,” continued Lady 
Kinlock, “ and to hear what you may have to say to him. 
I trust, however, that you have not been bringing more 
trouble upon yourself and us!” 

“ If I have, mother, I shall not come to you for sym- 
pathy. You may rest assured of that,” he answered, as he 
walked into the house again. 

Lord Kinlock was in the library waiting in state to hear 
Gerardos news. His son^s infrequent visits were so seldom 
the harbinger of pleasure that he did not feel very hopeful 
of it now; but the worst he anticipated was to hear of some 
fresh debt which Captain Legh was unable to meet. 

“ Well, Gerard,” he commenced, as he motioned him to 
a chair, “ I suppose it^s the old complaint — want of 
money.” 

“ I doiiT think I have applied to you so often for money 
of late, sir, that you need take it for granted.” 

“ I admit I have not heard so much of your liabilities 
the last year or two, and so I trusted you had ceased to 
contract them. ” 

So I have, father, or at least none that I havenT been 
able to defray. My errand this morning is on a totally 
different matter. My wife is going to leave me!” 

“ Your wife — is going — to leave yow /” repeated Lord 
Kinlock, with slow gasps of astonishment. Although he 
had considered his song's marriage a disgrace to the family^ 


50 


MISS HAKRIJsGTON'S husbakd. 


lie had never contemplated its ending in a scandal. “ Go- 
ing to leave you!’'' he continued. “ Nonsense! You must 
not allow her to leave you.^^ 

“ But I canH help it, sir. My hands are tied. And it 
is for this reason I have come down to consult you on the 
matte r.^^ 

“I refuse to interfere, interrupted Lord Kinlock, 
quickly. ‘ ‘ As you know, I have never recognized your 
marriage, and I never will. The calling of your wife is 
sufficient to preclude it. Do you suppose that I would 
bring an actress in contact with your mother and sisters?^ ^ 
“ I donT ask you to do so, father. I am not sure that it 
would afford my wife or me any pleasure if you did. But 
if you do not see your way to help me now, I am afraid it 
will return on your own head.^^ 

‘‘ I do not understand you, Gerard.-’^ 

The case is simply this, sir. My wife and I have had 
some little differences lately, and she threatens to leave me 
and go to America. Indeed she has already signed a con- 
tract to do so; and, legally, she has the right to follow her 
profession as she will. 

‘‘ Then how can 1 prevent it, Gerard?^-’ 

“ Hear me out to the end, father, and then give me your 
opinion. You know I was foolish enough to squander my 
small inheritance until it has dwindled down to two hun- 
dred a year. No man can live on such a sum. Since that 
time, therefore, my wife has supplied the necessary funds 
for keeping up our establishment from her own earnings; 
but she threatens now to take herself and her money across 
the water, and I have no power to stay her.^^ 

“ Have you consulted Haldane about it?^^ 

‘‘ Yes. The first thing I did was to go to him; but he 
says I am helpless. The Married Woman^'s Property Act 
enables her to cheat me as she will. You see what a nice 
fix she puts me in.^^ 

But again I ask you, in what way you expect me to get 
you out of it?'’^ 

“ I wanted to show you first how it will affect you if she 
continues in her determination. I caiTt live on two hun- 
dred a year. It would be a disgrace to you if I tried to do 
it. So that if Georgie continues obstinate I shall be forced 
to come back upon you; and I think you could prevent it 
by a little judicious interference.-’^ 


MISS HARRINGTON^S HUSBAND. 51 

“ I really don^fc follow you.’^ 

“ In plain words, .sir, I want you to come up to London 
and see my wife about this matter. Point out to her the 
injustice of which she will be guilty; of the scandal she will 
bring upon our name; and the advantages of her sticking 
to a man like myself now she has got me.^’ 

Lord Kinlock moved restlessly in his chair, and looked 
uneasy. 

‘‘I really do not see my way to comply with your re- 
quest, Gerard. . I have not been used to mix with persons 
of the class from which, to my great sorrow, you chose your 
wife. She may be all that you once described her to me, 
but she belongs to a profession which I have been ever 
taught to regard with distrust and suspicion. Forgive me 
for saying I can have no sympathy with such people, and 
that I should be afraid to trust myself amon^t them.^^ 

She won't eat you," replied Gerg,rd, grimly. 

“ I do not suppose she would listen to a word I said, if 
mdeed I could find my tongue in her presence,'' continued 
JLiord Kinlock; and to remonstrate with a young woman 
over whom you should have all authority is more than you 
have a right to ask me to do. " 

Very good," replied Captain Legh, tapping his boot 
with his cane; “ then you'll have to make me some sort of 
an allowance, father, that's all. " 

Lord Kinlock was somewhat startled by the decisive nat- 
ure of the assertion. Times were hard with him, as with 
most people, that season. The rents were long in coming 
in, and he had had to retrench as it was. To have to spare 
the Honorable Captain Legh two or three hundred pounds 
out of his own pocket was not a prospect to be contemplated 
with equanimity. 

‘ ‘ Can not Mrs. Legh be persuaded to share her income 
with your" he demanded. 

‘‘ She says no. She chooses this way of showing her re- 
sentment for a childish quarrel that has taken place between 
us. But I believe she will yield to you what she refuses to 
me." 

‘‘ ^\^hat reason have you for thinking- so?" 

‘‘ The mere fact that women worship rank, and that my 
wife is not indifferent to the idea of being the daughter-in- 
law of an earl. But then you have never noticed her in any 
way, so that the connection has become an aggravation 


52 MISS HAERIKGTOI^'S HUSBAIfD. 

instead of a thing to be proud of. If you were to pay her 
a visit, however, and talk the. matter over pleasantly, I 
think the compliment would induce her to hear reason. 

“ I can not take your mother and sisters to call on her!^^ 
said Lord Kin lock, hastily. 

Gerard Legh flushed to the forehead. 

‘‘ I have already said that I do not wish you to do so, 
sir; although, as far as looks and manners go, my wife is 
worth the whole family put together. All I ask is that 
2/0?^ should come up to town, and try to dissuade her from 
going to America. 

“Well, I don^t know that there will be any harm in 
that, Gerard, although I wish you had thought of some 
other means by which to accomplish your object. AYill you 
prepare Mrs. Legh for my visit? 

“ I think not. You had better appear without any 
preparation. Your presence will impress her all the more. 
Can you manage to come up to-morrow, sir?"’’’ 

“ I will endeavor to do so. Perhaps, after all, it is my 
duty to try and prevent the scandal of a separation between 
you. But it has been a sad business from the beginning, 
and can never be anything else. 

“ I shall expect to hear you have turned up to-morrow, 
then,^^ said Gerard, who was not anxious to discuss his 
domestic affairs further. “ You are sure to* find my wife 
at home between three and six, and I shall keep out of the 
way till it is over. 

“ 1 will ^o my best,^^ replied Lord Kinlock, as he shook 
hands with his son, and sunk back in his chair with a sigh. 
Gerard had set him a task he had never thought to be 
called upon to execute, and the only thing that carried him 
through it was the thought of the allowance, wliich, in the 
event of failure, he should have to make him out of his 
own pocket. 


CHAPTER VIII. 

THE FATHER-IH-LAW. 

Lord Kihlock did not find his daughter-in-law in a 
very submissive or amenable disposition. Her mind had 
undergone several changes since she had signed her con- 
tract with the American manager. She had experienced 


MISS HAERINGTON'S ‘ HUSBAND. 53 

sharp twinges of regret — not to say remorse — ^for having 
decided so hastily. There had been moments when she 
wondered if she were altogether wrong, and that it was her 
fault, and not Captain Legh^s, that their married life was 
so unhappy. She had almost been on the point of telling 
him so — of granting him a full and entire forgiveness for 
all the misery he had caused her, and beginning afresh, as 
it were, and with a clean bill of health on both sides. 

But her cousin Marian Lacy, and her bosom friend 
Louise Fletcher, had. kept her back from committing such 
a folly. They had taken care that the memory of her 
WTongs should not die too easily. They had even threat- 
ened never to speak to her again if she was so wanting in 
knowledge of what was due to herself as to forgive a man 
who evidently despised her. And Captain Legh^s own 
conduct had gone far to make her rejoice that the hour of 
release was at hand. On the first intelligence of her de- 
sign he had stormed and raved at her until he was ex- 
hausted; and then had followed a period of silence, cold- 
ness, and indifference, during which no woman could 
approach a man without losing her self-respect. 

It was whilst Georgie Harrington was living under this 
cloud that Lord Kinlock paid his promised visit -to her. 

Gerard had not mentioned a word of his journey to Sum- 
merhayes, and she was quite unprepared for the infliction. 

She was occupied with Marian Lacy and her dress-maker, 
choosing costumes for the coming engagement, when the 
earFs card was put into her hand. Georgie glanced at it 
and turned visibly paler. 

Lord Kinlock!’’^ she faltered. ‘‘ "What on earth is the 
meaning of this?'’^ 

You donH mean to say iFs your papa-in-law !’' cried 
Miss Lacy, obtaining possession of the card. “ My dear 
Georgie, youVe played the trump! Your intended visit to 
America has actually brought out the aristocratic family to 
call on you. 

‘‘ But what can he want?’^ demanded Georgie. 

‘‘ Who can tell until you see him? Perhaps he has come 
to plead the cause of dear Gerard; to persu^e you that he 
has never run up debts for you to pay, nor called you 
pretty names, nor flirted with other women, nor done any- 
thing unworthy of the noble name of Legh. And if you 
are good, and ciy ‘ Peccavi!^ his lordship may invite you 


54 MISS hareington’s husband. 

down to a Sunday dinner of roast beef and Yorkshire pud- 
ding at Summerhayes, when the whole family will sit and 
stare at you with open mouths, as if you were a giantess 
out of a raree show.^^ 

Oh, Marian, don’t be silly! They have never expressed 
the least wish to see me since my wedding-day; it is not 
likely they would condescend to interfere now. It must 
be something much more serious that brings Lord Kinlock 
here. Can it be,” continued Georgie, with a sudden 
tightening at her heart, ‘‘ that anything has happened to 
Gerard? I have not seen him since yesterday afternoon.” 

“ Nonsense, my dear! People like dear Gerard never 
have anything happen to~them. They live forever to wear 
other people out. Depend on it the old lord has come up 
to plead his son’s cause with you; and, after ten minutes’ 
discussion, you’ll burst into tears, and say you’ve been the 
one in the wrong; and Captain Legh will have something 
more to throw in your teeth the next time he gets out of 
temper. ” 

“ Never, Marian, ^ou do not know me,” replied 
Georgie, drawing herself up to her full height. “ I am a 
long-suffering woman, and my repeated forgiveness of in- 
juries may look to you like weakness; but when I have 
made up my mind I do not alter, and I have made up my 
mind now!” 

“ Well, my dear, all I can say is, I hope you have; for if 
it goes on much longer I firmly believe the man will kill 
you. The look of malice in his face when he speaks of 
your going to America is simply terrible. I should be 
afraid to live in the same house with him. ” 

I am not afraid of anything,” replied Georgie. But 
I must not keep Lord. Kinlock waiting any longer, or he 
will think that actresses have no manners as well as no 
morals. ” 

And so saying, pale as death, and proud as Lucifer, 
Georgie Harrington descended to the drawing-room. 

Lord Kinlock had been so occupied in examining the 
pretty things with which it was furnished, that he was not 
sensible of having been kept waiting. 

There was plenty of good, solid furniture, and valuable 
ornaments at Summerhayes, but there was very little taste; 
and the old gentleman (whose youngest son took more after 
him than he would have cared to acknowledge) was quite 


MISS HARRIl^GTOl^^S HUSBA>^D. 55 

lost in admiration of tlie room which an actress had- 
adorned for herself. 

And if he admired the room, he was equally struck by 
the mistress of it. What sort of a woman he had expected 
to see it would be difficult to say. 

Perliaps he had pictured the professional artist who had 
threatened her husband to take the law into her own hands, 
as some masculine, over-blown beauty, well covered with 
jiaint and powder; and attired in such a fashion as no gen- 
tlewoman could tolerate or follow. Any way, his astonish- 
ment knew no bounds when the door opened to admit a 
slight, fragile-looking girl, dressed in a plain, fawn-colored 
cashmere, with a white, strained face; large, mournful blue 
eyes; and chestnut hair, piled simply on the top of her 
head. 

There is no greater mistake made by the outside world 
than to suppose that actresses invariably go about with 
painted faces and noticeable dress. 

No woman, who values her reputation for modesty or 
good taste would do such a thing; and the more an artist 
is made much of at night, the less does she care to be 
recognized and mobbed by day. 

There are many professional women, unfortunately, who 
have the bad taste to paint by daylight, but they are gen- 
erally second-rate artists. There are many ladies in private 
life who do the same thing, and deserve to be ranked no 
higher than the ballet-girls for their pains. But a gentle- 
woman remains a gentlewoman, whether on the stage or 
off. 

Lord Kinlock had not had the opportunity of testing the 
truth of this assertion, and his surprise at seeing his son^s 
wife was proportionately great. Indeed, he did not believe 
ac first that the beautiful girl who stood before him could 
be Mrs. Legh. And when she had assured him of her 
identity he believed he had an easy task before him. He 
thought it quite impossible that this fragile-looking creat- 
ure could hold out against the arguments he was prepared 
to bring against her. 

He had risen hastily from his seat as she entered, but did 
not quite know how to introduce himself, or explain the 
object of his visit. But Georgie put him at his ease at 
once. 

“ Pray be seated, she said, gracefully waving her hand 


56 


MISS HARRIKGTON^S HUSBAKD. 


toward a chair. I suppose I can guess the reason of your 
unexpected appearance, Lord Kinlock. Yoa have come 
to speak to me about my husband/’ 

“ I certainly am here,” stammered the old gentleman, 
‘‘ with the desire to see and converse with Mrs. Legh. 
But, pardon me, if I say I can hardly believe you to be 
that lady.” 

“I am the wife of Captain Legh!” replied Georgie, 
proudly; “ though I am not surprised you do not recognize 
me as such; and, as my time is precious, I should be glad 
to learn, as soon as possible, to what I am indebted for this 
tardy visit from Lord Kinlock?” 

The earl began to feel uncomfortable, and to wish he had 
never come. A virago of middle age, or a bold beauty in 
paint and powder, would have been far easier to encounter 
in single combat than this proud-looking young woman who 
stood opposite to him with a frown on her brow, and one 
hand pressed against her heart 

‘‘ Pardon me,” he said, taking refuge in courtesy, “ if 
I say that I can hardly remain seated whilst you stand. I 
am an old man, but I am still too young for that!” 

Georgie threw herself wearily into a chair. 

“ Veiy good!” she murmured, ‘‘ I am seated.” 

“You hinted just now, Mrs. Legh,” commenced the 
earl, “ that my visit to you is a tardy one; I acknowledge 
it. Perhaps I wish now that it had been otherwise. But 
that is not my errand. My dear son Gerard came to Sum- 
merhayes yesterday in the utmost distress; he tells me you 
are about to leave him; I can not believe it is true!” 

“ It is quite true!” replied Georgie. “I have pledged 
myself to sail for America on the twenty-seventh of this 
month.” 

“ And you leave your husband behind your” said Lord 
Kinlock. 

“ I leafe my husband behind me!” repeated Georgie, 
with compressed lips. 

“ This is very sad,” rejoined his lordship, “ and a very 
unusual proceeding. “ Have you reflected, Mrs. Legh, on 
the scandal that will accrue to your name, and the names 
of those connected with you, by such a proceeding?” 

“ I do not see that there need be any scandal about it. 
Lord Kinlock. I am an actress, forced by circumstances, 
to earn my living. No one can blame me for earning 


MISS HAKEIMGTON^S HUSBAlsDT 57 

it by the best means presented to me. In going to 
America I fulfill an engagement that brings in double the 
money I can make in this country. What scandal is there 
in accepting it?” 

“ But without your husband, my dear lady; that is the 
improper part of it. You are too young to travel about 
alone, and the world will say you have separated because 
you can not agree together. ” 

Then the world will say what is right!” answered 
Georgie. “ After totally ignoring my existence for three 
years. Lord Kinlock, you must forgive me if I can not 
recognize your authority to remonstrate with me on this 
subject; but, since you have introdimed it, will you tell me 
if you have ever heard the true story of my marriage with 
your son?” • 

“ I have not heard more than the mere fact, Mrs. Legh. 
The circumstance was a painful one to us; we felt disap- 
pointed in Gerard, and we have avoided the subject since. ” 
“ I understand you, my lord! Your family pride was 
hurt at the idea of your son marrying an actress, and though 
I have heard that you and the countess are reckoned to be 
very good and charitable to the poor, and solicitous for the 
welfare of their souls, you have left your own relations to 
live as they chose ever since, without even inquiring if 
they had souls to save or not!^^ 

“ You are rather hard on us, young lady.” 

“ I am just. Lord Kinlock. Although I am on the 
stage, I have as good blood running in my veins as there is 
in yours; and I can not say I have not felt the littleness of 
your conduct. I am the daughter of Captain Harrington, 
of the Artillery, and had my father not fallen in the 
service of his country, and my mother died, leaving a mere 
pittance for the support of her children, I should not have 
been obliged to work for my living. As it was, I was too 
proud not to do so. I could never have lived on charity.” 

“ Under such circumstances it was a praiseworthy act — ” 
commenced Lord Kinlock. 

“ I do nofc wish you to praise me, sir. I am only desir- 
ous that you should learn the history of my life, in order 
that you may understand the reason of my present deter- 
mination. Whilst I was working thus, to maintain myself 
and my little sister, I had the misfortune to meet your son. 
He was a lounger behind the scenes of the theater where I 


58 MISS haerin-gton's husbaot. 

was employed, and he did nofc bear the best o 2 characters 
even then. The fact of his having been turned Gut of the 
army was well known amongst us. He was also very much 
in debt. Writs and summonses were constantly out against 
him, and he was often obliged to hide from his creditors. 
Perhaps you have heard as much yourself. 

“ To my sorrow, I have!^^ said Lord Kinlock. 

‘‘ My friends warned me against him,^^ continued 
Georgie, as soon as ever he began to pay me attention. 
But I was blind and deaf. A woman generally is so where 
her heart is concerned; and I loved your son very much. 
Lord Kinlock. 

“ Yo 21 loved him? Do you not love him still, Mrs. 
Leghr^^ 

“ JVb!^’ replied Georgie, firmly. Ko woman can love 
a man for whom shQ has lost all respect. I knew what his 
outward faults were when I married him. I knew that he 
was extravagant, thriftless, and dissipated, yet I thought 
that my love for liim. would cure it all. But I did not 
think that he would come to have so little regard for him- 
self and for me, as to add cruelty and insult to the list of 
his shortcomings!^^ 

“ My dear Mrs. Legh, you shock and distress me beyond 
measure! Cruelty and insult! Surely my son has not 
been guilty of such outrages upon a woman! I had no idea 
that anything had passed between you beyond a slight 
difference of opinion, which might easily be explained away 
or atoned for. 

“ That is because you have listened to Captain Legh^s 
side of the story, my lord, and not to mine. But I do not 
make an assertion wliich I can not prove; my servants, if 
I could stoop to appeal to them as witnesses, would tell you 
what I say is true. My relations and friends have long 
been aware of the state of tilings between us, and urged me 
to take some steps to free myself; but I have not had the 
courage to act upon their advice till now. And my deter- 
mination has been taken more for the sake of my little sis- 
ter than for myself.-” 

“ You have a sister, then?” said Lord Kinlock, who was 
becoming deeply interested, in spite of himself. 

‘ ‘ Yes, my lord, I have an orphan sister who is entirely 
dependent on me, and Gerard promised when I married 
him that he would be a father to her. When I found that 


MISS HAKRIMGTOM^S HUSBAND. 


59 “ 


he had spent the greater portion of. his money I went on 
the stage again, in order that we might live, since which 
time I have asked my husband for nothing, not even the 
money for his tailor^ s bills — and in return I have had to 
endure — ^ 

Here Georgie stopped, too much ashamed to relate the 
rest. Lord K inlock thought she was giving way to emo- 
tion. 

“ Don^’t cry, my dear,-’^ he said, kindly; “he is not 
worth it.'’^ 

I am not crying, replied the girl, proudly. “ His 
conduct has ceased to affect me to tears—it only makes me 
indignant! It is enough to tell you, Lord Kinlock, that I 
have been subjected to your son^s temper till I can endure 
it no longer — that I have borne indifference, and insult, 
and ingratitude from him — that he has even dared to strike 
my sister, and to threaten me with desertion — and that the 
time for my endurance is past! He can not support me, 
and he will not work. I have, therefore, decided to leave 
him, and seek my fortune in America. I shall take my 
sister with me, and Gerard will be free to do as he may 
choose. To live together Under such circumstances is im- 
jiossible. It is far better we should separate and be at 
peace. 

“If the facts are as you state them I can not blame 
you,^^ replied Lord Kinlock. “ But what is Gerard to do 
when deprived of your assistance 

“ He has his own money, ^^said Georgie. 

“ It is hardly sufficient on which to maintain the appear- 
ance of a gentleman. 

“ Then he can work. I have to do so — why not her^^ 

“ But you make large sums, I presume, by your profes- 
sion. Is it quite fair to refuse him any participation in 
your gains? 

‘ ^ Did you come here to-day, Lord Kinlock, to dissuade 
me from going to America, or to persuade me to support 
your son?’^ 

The old gentleman was taken aback. 

“ Well, really, I believe I came in order to try and make 
up this quarrel between Gerard and yourself. It would be 
so much better — so much more becoming on your jiart — if 
you resolved to stay at home, and do your duty to him as a 
wife.^^ 


60 


MISS hakrijigton's husband. 


“ In that case. Lord Kinlock, I am afraid you have 
wasted your time. You have not cared hitherto to exert 
the influence of a father-in-law over me, and your counsel 
comes too late. You had better try to persuade your son 
to do his duty as a husband before you lecture, me on hav- 
ing failed in mine as a wife. I know that most men think 
there should be no limit to a woman ^s endurance, and you 
may be one of them. But I maintain that when the wom- 
an works hard to supply her husband with the necessaries 
of life she is entitled to the same consideration that he 
would expect to receive from her. But no one could work 
for Gerard long. He destroys one^s self-respect and lowers 
oner’s dignity. He treats one as a beast of burden, that is 
to be driven to labor by hard words and abuse; and it does 
not suit me. I have been used all my life to live with gen- 
tlemen 

She pronounced the last word with so much meaning 
that she made her auditor writhe. 

With all his simplicity Lord Kinlock was intensely proud 
of his birth and breeding, and to hear his son spoken of in 
such a contemptuous tone, and by a person he considered 
beneath himself, was gall and wormwood to him. He rose 
at once to his feet. 

‘‘ It grieves me terribly to hear you speak of Gerard in 
such a strain, Mrs. Legh; but if I can not persuade you to 
listen to reason, it is useless my remaining longer here.^^ 

“ I think it is. Lord Kinlock; for if you were to remain 
till midnight you would not alter my determination. I 
ha\re been a long time making up my mind, but I shall 
not change it now. I dare say you do not like the idea of 
having your son thrown upon your hands again; but you 
have brought him up as a lazy, useless gentleman, and you 
must take the consequences. I wash my hands of him 
henceforward. 

‘‘ You do not mean to return to him, then?"^ said Lord 
Kinlock, in alarm. 

“ At present I have not the slightest intention of doing 
such a thing. I fancy I shall be too happy to find myself 
free to think of it. And since you have set yourself so 
resolutely against his marriage with me, you should be. the 
:first to rejoice that the connection is likely to cease. I am 
only an actress, my lord, and Captain Legh has taken care 


, o HARRINGTOJ^^S HUSBAND. 6i 

to info. . me that you consider actresses as something too 
vile for you to mention. ^ ^ 

No, no, no! He has mistaken me!^^ interpolated Lord 
Kinlock, deprecatingly. 

“ But, continued Georgie, without heeding his inter- 
ruption, 1 am as proud in my way perhaps as you are in 
yours, and consider myselh too good to be any man^s foot- 
ball. 

And I think the same, Mrs. Legh,^^ replied the old 
nobleman, holding out his hand. “ And I can only regret 
that you should have been driven to this course by the mis- 
conduct of my son, and that I should have known you too 
late to be able to remedy it.^^ 

‘‘You have at all events given me a pleasanter idea of 
you to carry away than I should otherwise have had,^^ said 
Georgie, with her blue eyes filled with tears, “ and I shall 
always remember your visit to me with feelings of grati- 
tude. 

In another minute he was gone, and her interview with 
Lord Kinlock was over. 


CHAPTER IX. 

AFTERNOON TEA. 

A FEVT weeks later, a party of women were assembled in 
Georgie Harrington'’ s bedroom to view the beautiful cos- 
tumes that had been prepared for her American expedi- 
tion, and to watch the maid and dress- maker pack them 
away in the large canvas-covered trunks, with five and six 
trays apiece, that were destined to bear them across the 
Atlantic. Marian Lacy was there in full force, criticising 
and directing, and Sylvia Marchmont also, although the 
latter young lady had come on her own invitation, rather 
than on that of her hostess. 

There was Lady Henry Masham, enthroned in state in 
the best arm-chair, and two or three other ladies whom 
Georgie had asked to afternoon tea, and they were all 
drinking coffee and chocolate, and eating sweet cakes, and 
talking at the top of their voices, 

Georgie only, the center of attraction — and the proud 
possessor of the dainty fabrics that lay scattered on bed, and 


o2 MISS HAKKINGTOI^'S HUSBANj. 

coucli, and chairs — was pale and silent. She g«,ve her 
orders and answered the questions put to her mechanically, 
but none of the profuse compliments lavished on her ward- 
robe called up the ghost of a smile to her lips. 

“ You^ll have a nice sum to pay for duty on all these 
things, my dear,'’’ observed her cousin Marian. “ Why, 
you have as many boxes to carry about as Sarah Bernhardt. 
Uo you intend never to- come back to England again?” 

“ E’ever is a long word, Marian,” said Georgie, evasive- 
ly; but there are really not so many dresses as you seem 
to think. I have to provide five for each of the three first 
pieces I apj^ear in; and millinery is so very expensive over 
there that I have been advised to take everything with me 
that I possibly can.” 

“ And I have the loveliest frocks!” cried Sissy, who was 
eating all the cakes she could get hold of, and treading on 
every one’s toes. Georgie, why are my frocks not 
brought in to be looked at as well as yours? There is a 
blue velvet, Marian, and a ruby cashmere, and a lot of 
white frocks, and a beautiful pelisse all trimmed with fur 
for the winter, and — ” 

“ Hush, Sissy: don’t talk so fast. You make my head 
ache,” said her sister. 

“ Your head is always aching now,” grumbled the child. 
‘‘ I never saw such a stupid thing as you are, Georgie. 
You are no good at all.” 

“ W^hat an exquisite confection that is of white rrepe and 
silver, and that blue brocade trimmed with feathers. They 
never were made in LoikIoii, my dear Miss Harrington, 
surely!” exclaimed Lady Henry, with her eyeglass to her 
eye. 

“ Oh, no; all the dresses on the bed are from W^orth, 
and he sent them so exquisitely packed for traveling, I 
suppose he would be indignant if he knew that we had 
pulled them out of their wrappings before we started.” 

Worth’s bill will come to a thousand pounds,” observed 
Sissy, oracularly. “ How I wish I was grown up and could 
spend money like that!” 

‘‘There is not much pleasure in spending money -on 
one’s self. Sissy,” said Georgie, with a faint smile. 

“ Well, I’d like to try it, Georgie, any way, and see what 
it feels like. Miss Marchmont, you’re sitting right on my 
sister’s cloak!” 


MISS HARRIKGTOK^S HUSBAI^D. 63 

Sylvia Marclimont jumped up in a hurry from an opera- 
cloak of plush, much trimmed with lace and ribbons, which 
had been considerable crushed from the application of her 
plump little person. 

Oh, dear. Miss Harrington, l am so sorry! How can I 
have been so stupid! Do you think it is injured? Won^t 
an iron smooth out those creases?’^ 

‘‘ PraydonH concern yourself about it,^’ replied Oeorgie, 
‘Mt is not the slightest consequence. Rachel, take those 
things off the back of Miss Marchmont^s chair, and put 
them anywhere out of the way.'” 

AVell, I never saw any one so indifferent to pretty 
things as you are in my life!” said Sylvia. “ I should have 
cried my eyes out if that had happened to me. But then I 
couldn’t afford it on six pounds a week, could I?” 

Miss Harrington has a soul above ribbons and lace^-’^, 
remarked Lady Henry. Oh, my dear creature, what aM 
we to do without you? Who is to supply your place at the 
Delphian until you come back again?” 

What will poor Captain Legh do without her? That 
is the question!” cried Sylvia Marchmont. “ I do pity the 
poor fellow so; he will be quite lost when you are gone. 
Miss Harrington. ” 

Georgie did not answer her, but turned toward Marian 
Lacy. 

‘‘ When did you see this mpch- to-be-pitied creature last?” 
asked the latter, in a low tone. 

“ Hot since Thursday,” was the reply; “ but it is better 
so. Our interviews have not been so pleasant lately that 
they can not be dispensed with. ” 

‘‘He is a brute!” said Marian, emphatically, between 
her teeth. 

“ No, Marian, don’t say that! It will soon be all over 
now, so we can afford to hold our tongues about it. ” 

“ Have you heard anything further from your aristocratic 
relations?” 

“ I had a letter from Lord Kinlock yesterday.” 

“ What did he say?” 

“He asked me to make his son an allowance during my 
absence.” 

“ And you consented?” 

“Yes!” 

“ Georgie, you are the weakest woman I ever met. You 


64 MISS haerington’s husband. 

would fall into that man^s arms to-morrow if he went the 
right way to ask itl"*^ 

No, Marian, I don ^t think I should. But don^t dis- 
cuss the matter further. 1 have done what I consider to be 
right, and there is an end of it. 

At this juncture the door 023ened to admit Mrs. Fletcher, 
“ dressed to kill,^'’ and overflowing with a piece of news. 

‘‘ My darling girl,^'’ she exclaimed effusively, as she em- 
braced Miss Harrington, “ guess!— guess what I have to 
tell you! But you never will! It is impossible! For it is 
the most charming and delightful tiling that ever hap- 
pened in all the world. 

“ Then I^ni sure I canT guess it,^^ said Georgie, with a 
smothered sigh. 

“ My dear, I have been bursting ever since I heard it, 
and I should have been here an hour ago only Dicky was 
detained in the Strand. Fancy — only just fancy! — Chaun- 
cey has engaged him for one of Mr. Maxima’s traveling 
companies, and he is to start the same time as you do!^' 

‘‘ Oh, I am glad!’^ exclaimed Georgie. “ Mr. Fletcher is 
sure to get on in America, and he so well deserves all the 
luck he may get. You must give him my sincere con- 
gratulations, Louise. 

Yes; but, darling, you donT understand. Can not 
you guess what it must lead to? Do you suppose I would 
consent to be left alone in England without either you or 
DiOkey? Of course not! And so I am going too; and if 
Dickey has to travel far he will leave me with you in New 
A"ork, so I shall be always at hand to keep you company, 
dear, as I do here.^’ 

‘‘ And you will live with me!” said her friend. 

‘ ‘ Of course I will ! Only too delighted if you will have 
me. ” 

“ Oh, I am glad — I am glad!’^ cried Georgie, in an ex- 
cited manner, as she suddenly burst into tears. 

The prospect of solitude in a strange land had been weigh- 
ing painfully upon her spirits, and the idea of having her 
dearest friend with her, and one who sympathized so en- 
tirely with all she was passing through, seemed for the mo- 
ment to make everything right. She laughed and cried in 
Louise Fletcher’s arms, and became so excited as to betray 
to more than one of the party the secret she had tried to 
conceal. 


MISS HAERIInCtTOM^S husbakd. 


65 


Then the conversation turned upon the Usew "World they 
were going to; and Georgie was in the midst of an animated 
description of the steamer by which she was to sail, and the 
comforts that had been provided for her on board, when a 
servant entered to hand her a letter which had just come 
by post. 

Marian Lacy was watching her cousin at the time, and 
saw the light die out of her eye and the flush fade from her 
.cheek, as she looked at the address on the envelope. 

Miss Lacy recognized it also, although it was held upside 
down, for it was a bold handwriting, which she knew to be 
that of Captain Legh. 

She loves him still she thought to herself. ‘‘ What- 
ever she may say or do, she loves him still 

An hour later she was walking back to her mother^’s 
house in Baker Street when she came upon Gerard, dressed 
in the height of the fashion, lounging along Park Lane. 

‘‘ Captain Legh!"’’’ she exclaimed. “ Is this really your 
I thought you were out of town. Where are you staying?^^ 

AVith friends he answered, curtly. 

“ But why are you not at home? Georgie tells rne she 
has not seen you since last Thursday, 

‘‘ Home is altogether too hot for me at present. Miss 
Lacy’^ 

You mean it is too cold. I think Georgie is growing 
utterly indifferent to everything. I left her just now, sur- 
rounded by a bevy of women doing homage to .her new 
dresses and herself. 

That is all she cares for — admiration! If she canT get 
it by fair means, she will by foul. It is at the bottom of 
her going to America. Well, she will be free to take as 
much as ever she can get of it there. 

AVliy are you not going with her. Captain Leghr^^ 

“ I have not been asked. Miss Lacy. 

‘‘ Poor fellow! I really do think iPs a shame that you're 
left out of the business altogether in this way. Have you 
heard that the Fletchers sail by the same steamer, and 
that Louise and Georgie have come to some arrangement 
to live together?'^ 

Yo! I have heard nothing. My wife does not conde- 
scend to tell me her news.'' 

It is the truth. Georgie is, of course, delighted at the 

3 


66 


MISS harringtok's husband. 


idea. If she has her ‘ dear Louise ^ with her she will care 
for nothing else.’ ^ 

“ Well, Mrs. Fletcher is my friend decidedly/’ said Cap- 
tain Legh, and will, I am' sure, look after my interests 
on the other side. It is just as well that Georgie should 
have some one to remind her occasionally that she has a 
husband in the land of the living.” 

Marian Lacy opened her eyes. 

“ Your friend! Does she say so? Well, in my humble 
opinion, she is a deceitful old cat, who doesn’t care for 
anybody but herself. But Georgie never would listen to 
my advice on the subject.” 

“ What day does she sail from Liverpool?” 

Marian hesitated. 

‘‘ I am not quite sure. I think it is the thirtieth.” 

‘‘ I thought it was to be the twenty-seventh. ” 

Yes; but I believe there is some reason for delay. Why 
do you ask? Are you going to see her off.^” 

Captain Legh laughed satirically. 

“ See her off ! Is it likely? Have our relations been so 
amicable lately as to*make me anxious to obtrude my atten- 
tions on her? Oh, no! The beautiful Miss Harrington, 
will have plenty of people to see her off. I only wish to 
know how long it will be before I can return home without 
fear of annoyance. ” 

‘‘It sounds dreadfully sad to hear you say that! But 
now I come to think of it, I really believe she does start 
on the twenty-seventh. Anyhow, I will send a line to your 
club as soon as she is off.” 

“ Thanks. Good-afternoon,” said Captain Legh, rais- 
ing his hat and passing on. But as he went he thought: 

“Deceitful little minx! Just like the rest of her sex! 
She knew perfectly well that Georgie was to sail on the 
twenty-seventh. I wonder what was her object in trying 
to mislead me! The twenty-seventh. Well, I think I 
shall run down to Liverpool to see the last of her! It will 
look so very bad to outsiders if I am not there!” 


CHAPTEE X. 

THE PARTING. 

When it became known in Liverpool that the beautiful 
and popular actress Miss Harrington was to sail for Amer- 


MISS HAKRIMGTOM^S HUSBAND. 


67 


ica in the Cunard steamer on the twenty-seventh of August, 
there was a great stir among certain circles to do her 
honor. 

The proprietor of the hotel at which her party was to 
sleep the night before met her at the railway-station with a 
deputation of gentlemen armed with flowers and fruit, and 
authorized to ask her and her manager to a dinner at the 
hotel that same evening. 

Georgie was weary and unhappy. She had slept little, 
and eaten less, for a week past, and felt more inclined to 
go to bed and cry her heart out, than to sit up with a 
smiling face to receive the congratulations of her friends. 

But there is a penalty attending the life of a public 
favorite that the envious seldom dream of — the necessity 
to live for the public, and not for one^s self. It would have 
been impossible for Georgie Harrington to indulge her own 
feelings on this occasion. She had received many favors 
from the Liverpool people, and she might live to ask them 
at their hands again. 

At all risks, therefore, she had to accept the invitation 
extended to her, and, as soon as her trunks were opened, to 
array herself in a suitable costume, and go down to meet 
the numerous guests assembled to wish her “ God-speed 
in the New World: 

It was a very wearisome undertaking. She sat on the 
right-hand of her principal host, smiling faintly as each 
fresh stranger was presented to bore her with common- 
place questions and remarks. 

She tried to do her duty in the way of eating, but even 
the blindest of her entertainers could perceive what an 
effort it was to her. 

And when the dessert was on the table, and the speeches 
began, and she saw a chance of the banquet coming to an 
end, Georgie gave a sigh of relief. 

Louise Fletcher was on her right hand, and Marian 
Lacy, who had accompanied her as a guest to Liverpool, 
sat on her left, and she glanced from one to the other, as 
though to say: 

‘‘ Thank Heaven 

The principal speech was, of course, in her own honor. 
A rhume of what she had already done, with a flattering 
prophecy of what she had yet to do. 

Mr. Seth Maxim rose to reply to it. He said that in 


68 MISS haeeikgton's husbaot. 

having the good fortune to secure the services of Miss 
Harrington for the United States of America, he felt cer- 
tain he had provided a treat for his countrymen which they 
had seldom enjoyed before. That there was a great deal 
of native talent in the New World, but it lay more in the 
direction of comedy than melodrama, and in introducing 
Miss Harrington to the American stage he was about to 
place on it a model of what histrionic art should be. The 
Americans were a warm-hearted, generous people, who 
recognized talent wherever they saw it, and he was con- 
fident that they would receive Miss Harrington with open, 
arms. 

Some one at the bottom of the table suggested that that 
was all very well, so long as the arms remained open, so as 
to permit Miss Harrington to return to England. Mr. 
Maxim must not allow his enthusiasm to blind him to the 
fact that Miss Harrington belonged to England, and they 
should expect to have her back again. 

Mr. Maxim was not so sure of that. He considered it 
far more likely that their popular favorite would find such 
a reception awaiting her on the other side the duck-pond as 
would induce her to take up her abode with them forever. 

Georgie shook her head smilingly, as though to deprecate 
her manager's assertion. The smile gave one of her ad- 
mirers courage. 

‘‘ You wonT marry in America, will you. Miss Harring- 
ton?*^ he asked, eagerly. England will never forgive you 
if you bind yourself for life to any but an Englishman!'’'’ 

The smile deserted Georgie ’s lips like the sudden setting 
of a wintery sun; but Mr. Maxim would not let the remark 
go unnoticed. He had evidently forgotten what Mr. Braba- 
zon Chauncey had told him in the office. 

I must forbid all tampering with my legal •property,’^ 
he said, jestingly. “ It will be the efiort of my future life 
to induce Miss Harrington to remain in America; and if it 
is to be accomphshed through the united efforts of Cupid 
and Hymen, I shall pray to those two slippery gods every 
night of my life.^’ 

But Georgie had turned so white under the influence of 
these jokes that Marian Lucy thought she was going to 
faint. 

Are you dll?’'’ she whispered. 

‘‘ I am so tired I can hardly hold my head up,” was the 


MISS hakeimgtom’s husband. 69 

reply. Don^t make any fuss about it; but let us get 
away as soon as we possibly canP^ 

Her mood, after awMle, communicated itself to the 
faculties of Mr. Seth Maxim, who, perceiving her fatigue, 
informed their hosts that he could not permit them to de- 
tain her longer, and so she escaped with the other ladies to 
the privacy of her own room. Marian Lacy accompanied 
her there, profuse in her expressions of affection, and re- 
gret that this would be the last time for so many months 
that they^ould be together. 

‘"And I'm afraid you are silly enough to be fretting 
after that worthless husband of yours, Georgie. I really 
thought you had more sense. 

, ‘‘ Indeed I am not replied her cousin, her pride alight 
in a moment. “ It is of my own free will I part from him. 
Why on earth should I regret it?'’^ 

‘‘ Oh, women generally want a thing directly it is out of 
their reach, said Marian, lightly. But you are not an 
ordinary woman, and it would be almost too infra dig, to 
cry after a man who has treated you as he has. Fancy his 
not even paying the common civility of seeing you off. 
Those fellows at table donT even know youTe married, 
from the way they talked of it!^^ 

I never expected Gerard- to see me off, and still less did 
I desire it,^^ returned Georgie. ‘‘ In fact, it is all over be- 
tween us, Marian. We shall never live together again. 
When did you arrive at that decision?^ ^ 

It has been growing on me as a necessity for some time ' 
past, and I do not see any chance now of resuming our con- 
nection! I will never subject Sissy to his violence again! 
Neither will I live with a man who has entirely ceased to 
care for me! And his wishes coincide with mine. His last 
letter tells me so. 

‘‘ I did not know you had heard from him.'’^ 

Yes, I received it the afternoon you all came to see my 
dresses. It is in my hand-bag. You can read it if you 
like.^^ . - 

Marian Lacy moved toward the hand-bag; while Georgie 
continued: 

“ Lord Kinlock wrote, askmg me if I would make my 
husband an allowance during my stay in America. He 
said it was my duty to support him. I didn’t see it in that 
light; but I said I would. I fixed the sum ac five hundred 


70 


MISS hareimgtom's husbamd. 


pounds. I did not communicate with Gerard personally; 
but he chose to take it upon himself to answer my proposal. 
You will be struck by the elegance and good taste of his 
composition. 

Marian opened the letter, and read as follows: 

‘‘ Madame, — My father. Lord Kinlock, has communi- 
cated to ms the substance of your letter to liim. I abso- 
lutely refuse to be your pensioner. If you choose to alter 
your plans, and remain at home and submit yourself to my 
authority, as you are in duty bound to do, I will consent to 
let things go on as they have done before. But if you in- 
sist upon leaving England, I warn you that our parting 
will be forever, and that I shall have no desire to see you 
again, either in this world or the next. Doubtless, how- 
ever, Mr. Brabazon Ohauncey (whom, I understand, is to 
see you off at Liverpool), will console you in all your mis- 
fortunes. Yours, 

“ Gerard Legh.^'’ 

“ ‘ I will consent to let things go on as they have done 
before, ^ repeated Marian, in a fit of laughter, as she con- 
cluded reading the letter. Well, I never thought a man 
could be capable of such impudence. He will consent, I 
suppose he means, to abusing you and calling you bad 
names, and accusing you of all sorts of things you have 
never done. Georgie, if ever you do live with him again 
you^ll have to give up me, ” 

‘‘ I have told you that my mind is fixed on the subject, 
Marian. But who can have told him that Mr. Ohauncey 
is going to see me off to-morrow?^ ^ 

Is that the case?^^ 

I believe so. He said he should run down if possible, 
and what is more natural than that he should do so? He 
has been my friend and my mother^’s friend for years, and 
I repudiate the horrid insinuations Gerard makes against 
him with scorn. He only does it in order to insult me. 
He can not even let me go in peace without a final thrust. 

“ Don't think any more of it, darling," said her cousin, 
soothingly. “ Let me tear this wretched letter up, and for- 
get it was ever written. " 

ISo. Put it back in my hand-bag. I wish to keep it lest 
I should ever be tempted to forget what I have been sub- 
jected to. As for Captain Legh, he can support himself 


MISS HARRIMGTON^S HUSBAND. 


71 


for the future, or fall back on his aristocratic family, for 
he has seen the last of my money- and of me.^’’ 

‘‘ What shall you do about your house and furniture, 
dear?'’^ asked Marian, insinuatingly. 

Oh, Gerard can do as he likes with them. I don^’t 
wish to pull the roof down over his head. And if at any 
time you- can be of service to him, Marian, don^t be afraid 
of offending me by extending it. 

“/do anything for him?^^ cried Marian, with affected 
contempt. “No, thank you; I wouldnH touch his hand 
after the brutal way in which he has treated you! What 
do you think of me?'’^ 

“ I think you are a dear good cousin, replied Georgie, 
affectionately; “ but I do not expect every one to view this 
matter in the same light as myself. And now, dear, I will 
s&,y good-night to you, for to-morrow will be as fatiguing a 
day as this has been. 

Notwithstanding the letter she had received, and her ex- 
pressed wish never to see her husband again. Miss Harring- 
ton was terribly nervous on the following day, and as they 
drove to the wharf to go on board the steamer, her eyes 
kept roving from side to side in the expectation that Cap- 
tain Legh might relent at the last moment, and not let her 
leave England without a word of farewell. 

But no familiar object met her eye. Cabs .full of pas- 
sengers, and carts full of luggage, tearing down to the 
wharf at the last moment, amid all the traffic, noise, and 
bustle of dirty Liverpool, were all she saw; while the 
number of strangers that attended her progress — the last 
words of her friends — and the incessant demands of Sissy — 
kept her thoughts pretty well fixed upon other people. 

The tender that was to take them on board the steamer 
was unusually crowded, and somewhat late; and the mo- 
ment their party placed foot on her she set forth on her 
way. Once on the steamer there was no time to be lost. 
Eriends for the shore had barely ten minutes'’ grace for 
lamentation, befor.e the bell rang to send them all back te 
Liverpool. But Mr. Brabazon Chauncey managed to say a 
few last words to Georgie Harrington. 

“ Courage, my child,'’’ he whispered, as he held her hand 
in his; “ you have a grand future before you. You must 
make it console you for the past.” 

“ I will try, Mr. Chauncey. And pray don’t think I am 


72 


MISS HARRIXGTOK’S HU8BAKD. 


unhappy. It is always painful to leave one^s native land; 
but it may not be for long.'’^ 

“ I hope it may \\Q for long, Georgie! The best wish I 
have for you is, that you may find such peace and happi- 
ness in America that you may settle there altogether. 

‘‘And what will you do without me in England?^^ she 
asked, with a smile. 

“ Ah! that is another question, which I shall solve for 
myself, by going to New York to see you, if you stay away 
too long. That is the last bell! I must go! May God 
bless you, my dear child, in every way!'^ 

And then everybody kissed her or shook hands with her, 
as they went over the side of the vessel; and she was left on 
the deck waiting to see the last of them, with Sissy cling- 
ing to her arm. They waved their hands to their friends 
till the tender was a speck in the distance; and then the 
engines of the Cunard steamer began to rumble, and creak, 
and turn, and they had commenced their voyage to the 
New World. 

“ Look, Georgie !^^ cried Sissy, suddenly, as she pointed 
to a little boat, which seemed to be trying to catch up to 
the steamer. “ IsnT the man in that boat like Gerard? 
Look at him now, standing up. It is Gerard ! I am sure 
it is. Oh, I hope he hasnT changed his mind, and is com- 
ing with usT^ 

“ N4)nsense, Sissy! it is only a boatman, replied Georgie, 
although the figure indicated by her little sister was cer- 
tainly very like her husband. “Come down-stairs, dear; 
it is getting chilly up here, and I want a wrap.^'’ 

“ It^s no use going on, sir,^^ said the men in the boat to 
their solitary passenger, “ she^s off, for certain. 

“Very good,^^ replied Captain Legh, with an uncom- 
fortable sensation in his throat. “ Row back to Liver- 
pool.^^ 


CHAPTER XL 

OM THE ATLANTIC. 

The first few days on board ship are generally full of 
discomfort, and the voyage to New York is so quickly ac- 
complished that there is scarcely time to settle down before 
you find yourself ^t anchor at Sandy Hook. 

Georgie Harrington proved to be an excellent sailor; but 


MISS HAERIKGTOI^^S HUSBAND. 


75 


her friend, Mrs. Fletcher, and her little sister were both 
very ill, and she felt herself bound to minister to their 
necessities. This sense of duty on her part was the means 
of her becoming acquainted with an entirely new phase in 
the character of her bosom friend. She had known Mrs. 
Fletcher now for some years past, hut only while they were 
living in their separate homes. She had never been thrown 
in her company on board ship before, nor traveled with her 
in a railway carriage all night, nor had they been detained 
together at a friend^s house unexpectedly and shared the 
same room without having access to any of their own pos- 
sessions. And it is under such circumstances only that it 
is possible to find out how much of our female friends is 
false and how much true — how many of their charms have 
been provided them by nature, and how many they have 
supplemented by art. 

Louise Fletcher had never met Georgie Harrington be- 
fore without having spent a good hour before her glass, en- 
gaged in the mysteries of the toilet. She was an adept in 

making up by daylight, which is a very different thing 
from making up by night, and never Emitted another 
woman to her dressing-room lest she should go forth to the 
world and disclose the secrets she might discover there. 
But seasickness is a terrible leveler, and about the only 
affliction under which the sufferer has no energy left to 
care what becomes of him. 

Mrs. Fletcher, too, was traveling without a maid, partly 
because she could not well afford to take one, and partly 
because she depended on sharing the services of Eachel. 
But Eachel was prostrate as well as her superiors, and 
‘‘ Dickey (like the selfish sex he belonged to) preferred 
the fresh sea air on deck to the close atmosphere of his 
wife^s cabin, and so poor Louise had been left to the mercy 
of the stewardess. She was in a deplorable plight — too ill 
to rise and look after herself — longing for assistance and 
companionship, and yet dreading lest any one should see 
her in her present condition. 

It was at this juncture that Georgie ^s tap sounded on her 
cabin door. She had heard that Louise had been ill all 
night, and as soon as her own breakfast was concluded she 
went to see if she could be of any use to her. But all the 
answer she received to her demand for admittance was the 
question, in a muffled voice: 


74 


3IISS HAREIIS’GTOJ^'S HUSBAND. 


‘‘ Who^sthere?^^ 

‘‘ It is I — Georgie/^ answered Miss Harrington. ‘‘ Let 
me come in and see what I can do for you, Louise/^ and 
as she spoke she opened the door. 

“ No, nol^^ exclaimed Mrs. Fletcher, rolling herself up 
in the bed-clothes so as to conceal her face. ‘‘ Go away. I 
don^t want to see you.^^ 

Georgie was taken aback. Her first idea was that she 
must imintentionally have offended Louise, and her affec- 
tionate heart became all anxiety to know how it had oc- 
curred. 

‘‘ My dearest Louise, she said, going up to the berth, 
“do you understand that I am Georgie? What is the 
matter? The stewardess tells me you have been very ill all 
night, and 1 have brought you a bottle of champagne. Do 
have some. It is the best thing you can take. 

“ I would rather not,^' replied Mrs. Fletcher, somewhat 
less irritably, but still without showing her face. “ I wish 
you^d go away, Georgie. The cabin is so close; I can not 
bear the idea of your remaining in it. ^ 

“Oh! if that is all,^^ cried the other, cheerfully, “I 
shall certainly remain with you. What do you suppose I 
care for the inconvenience of a close cabinAvIien I can be of 
use to you, Louise? Let me wash your face and hands, 
dear; it will make you feel so much more comfortable.^^ 

Mrs. Fletcher could not resist the sweet, kind tones of 
Georgie^s persuasive voice, but she was very disinclined to 
accept her offices. 

“ One does look such a fright after a night of agony, 
she said, at last, as she glanced at her friend with half an 
eye from under the bed-clothes; “ and I^m half afraid, 
Georgie, that my little bit of hair has tumbled off, for I 
canT find it anywhere. You know I only wear the hast 
little bit, dear, to save myself the trouble of curling my 
own; besides, Dickey wonT let me have it cut short — he is 
so silly about everything that belongs to me — but of course 
I donT look myself without it. So I would much rather 
youM go away until I am put to rights. 

“ Nonsense!” said Georgie. “ What is the good of a 
friend, Louise, if she values you for your looks? I will 
find the hair for you. Is this it?^^ she continued, picking 
up from the cabin-floor what seemed to be an entire wig. 

“ Oh, yes, that is it!^^ exclaimed Mrs. Fletcher, snatch- 


MISS HARRIMGTOIl'S HUSBAND. 


75 


ing it from her hand and attempting to arrange it on her 
head. ‘‘ Oh, dear! where is my hand-glass? This is worse 
than purgatory. I positively can not find anything.’^ 

Never mind the hand-glass, Louise; there is no one to 
see you. Sit up and drink this,^^ said Georgie, offering her 
a glass of foaming champagne. 

Mrs. Fletcher made an attempt to rise. She had tried 
to fix the wig upon her head, but the effect was ludicrous, 
for her trembling hands had placed it awry, and wisps of 
gray hair (of which Georgie Harrington had had no pre- 
vious cognizance) were straying out in all directions. The 
night of feverish pain which she had passed, too, had 
rubbed the paint*and powder off her face. Even her eye- 
brows had disappeared beneath the trial, and her false teeth 
were in the netting basket by the side of her pillow. It 
was an old face, with a dull yellow complexion lined with 
many a seam, and colorless lips that looked up plaintively 
in Georgie Harrington ^s, and gave the girl almost a shock 
as she regarded it. 

But her better feelings came to her aid, and she attended 
on the sick woman as affectionately as if she had been a 
rosy maiden of eighteen. 

I am sure you must think me quite a fright, poor 
Mrs. Fletcher kept repeating, “but seasickness pulls one 
down so terribly. It^s the most dreadful thing in the 
world; it takes away one^s complexion, and life, and every- 
thing.^^ 

Georgie ^s sense of humor made her mentally add: “ Yes, 
and one^s teeth and hair into the bargain. But there was 
no sound of ridicule in the tone with which she answered: 

“ Of course it does, Louise. My poor little Sissy is as 
yellow as a guinea this morning! But that will all be 
remedied as soon as you get into the fresh air. You must 
make an effort to rise, and you will soon be well again.'’'’ 

“ Oh, yes; I certainly will try, for I shall fret myself into 
a fever if I lie here without any of my little comforts. 
Dickey might have offered to help me before he went on 
deck, but he didiiT. Men are so selfish! He said he should 
be sick himself if he sta^^ed another minute down-stairs. '’^ 

“ Some people can not keep up unless they are in the 
fresh air,'’^ replied Georgie, beating a hasty retreat herself 
to the upper regions. 

When there, she could not help thinking, with some dis- 


76 MISS HAERH^rTTOX'S HUSBAOT. 

appointment, of the discover}^ she had made below. Xot 
that it could signify to her if her friend Louise were a few 
years younger or older, or chose to patch up her faded 
charms with pigments and false hair. But she felt hurt 
that she should have thought it necessary to keep the truth 
so scrupulously from her. 

Georgie had been aware, of course, that Mrs. Fletcher 
used certain artifices by which to heighten the youthfulness 
of her appearance. She had guessed all her hair was not 
natural, and she had sometimes had a doubt about her 
teeth. But Louise had so systematically denied the fact. 
She had gone so much out of her way to try and convince 
Georgie that her hair and her teeth were her own, that her 
friend^s suspicions had occasionally been shaken, and she 
had blamed herself for her ill-natured incredulity. To 
find therefore that she had been right, and Mrs. Fletcher 
had not considered her worthy of confidence, was somewhat 
of a shock to her, and for awhile gave her genuine pain. 
But she soon shook it off. After all, she thought, it was 
the sort of thing that no human could be expected to re- 
veal, even to her dearest friend. Louise was none the 
worse for it — at least in her eyes. Her heart was still the 
same honest, loving, unselfish heart that it had ever been; 
and what did her little feminine arts and secrets signify, in 
comparison with that? By the time she had arrived at this 
conclusion, Georgie could laugh (internally, of course) at 
the recollection of the wig on the floor — the teeth in the 
basket — and the yellow face that looked up at her from the 
pillows, and resolved that she would not so much as re- 
member she had seen them, if it gave her poor old friend a 
moment’s pain. 

They had beautiful weather, and in another day both 
Mrs. Fletcher and Sissy were on deck, and there was no 
further chance of Georgie’s services being required in the 
cabin. 

Her appearance on board had naturally excited a great 
deal of interest and attention among the passengers, and 
Mr. Seth Maxim was constantly being asked for introduc- 
tions to her. But he was very cautious in permitting her 
to make acquaintances. Georgie would have shaken hands 
all round, for she had not a particle of affectation or self- 
consciousness in her natui’e. But Mr. Maxim reminded 
her that all these people were going to New York — that 


MISS HARKINGTOK’S HUSBAIirD. 77 

many of them might be located at the same hotel as her- 
self, and their acquaintance — which was all very well on 
board the steamer — might become a nuisance in the city. 

She would be a great person in New York, he added, and 
must hold herself select in order to keep up hor position. 

“ But there is one person I want to kaow,-’"’ persisted 
Georgie. ‘‘ The lady who sits next to you at dinner. 

“ Mrs. Lousada-Lorens,^^ said the manager. And why 
do you wish to know her?^^ 

‘‘ I like her face, for one thing,^^ answered Georgie, I 
think she is lovely! And I like her way of speaking, and 
her style altogether. Besides, we often look at one an- 
other, and I think she wants to know me. 

“You are right there! She has asked me to introduce 
her twenty times. She is rich, too, and a leader of fashion. 
I donT know that there will be any harm in your knowing 
lier.^'’ 

“ Why doiiT you like her?^’ asked Georgie. 

Who said I did not?'^ 

I can guess it from the tone of your voice, Mr. 
Maxim. 

“You are a dangerous person to talk to. Miss Harring- 
ton, in more senses than one, said the manager, with a 
very soft inflection of the voice, as he gazed admiringly at 
her; “ but this time you have guessed the truth. I have 
known Mrs. Lousada-Lorens for" some time, yet I do not 
like her."’"’ 

“ How straifge — when she is so lovely !^^ 

^ “Pardon me, she is not lovely! She. is merely hand- 
some. There is no soul beneath her beauty. Poor Lousa- 
da could tell you that!'’^ 

“ Is he her husband 

He was her first husband. 

But you spoke of him in the present. 

“ Because he is still living. They were divorced. 

“ Ah!"'’ exclaimed Georgie, with an involuntary shudder. 

“ It is true; but there is no need for you to shrink from 
her in consequence. Divorces are conducted differently in 
America from what they are in your country. Mr. and 
Mrs. Lousada were separated on the plea of non-support. " " 

“ But she is married again?"" 

“ Yes, and legally so. Lousada is a great friend of 
mine. He settled half his money on his wife, and then 


78 MISS HAERIKGTON^S HUSBAND. 

failed in business, and was ruined. So she left him, on 
the plea of which I have told you, and married Lorens, a 
rich jew of !N^ew York. She has one of the best houses in 
the city. She is also very handsome, and can be agreeable 
when she chooses. And she may be of use to you if you 
wish to know her. Shall I bring her up to you.^-’’ 

I don^’t know,^^ replied Georgie. “ You have made 
me feel uncomfortable about her! I suppose it is all right 
in your country, but it seems strange to us at first. And yet, 
how can a woman do wrong with such a face as that? 
Yes, Mr. Maxim, I should like to become acquainted with 
her, whatever she has done. 

In a few minutes, therefore, Mrs. Lousada-Lorens and 
Georgie Harrington were sitting side by side. The lady 
was very profuse in her compliments, and seemed as well 
acquainted with what was going on oii one side of the globe 
as the other. She had traveled all over England and the 
Continent, and was a great admirer of everything foreign 
to her own country. She proved herself well acquainted 
with Miss Harrington^s favorite roles, and assured her of a 
most hearty welcome to America. 

‘‘ I guess, she observed, after awhile, that we sha’nT 
let you get back to England in a hurry. Some of our New 
York beaus will find you out, and persuade you to make 
your home amongst us!'^ 

But I am married, -said Georgie, innocently. 

Mrs. Lousada-Lorens elevated her eyebrows. 

“ You don'^t say! What a pity! And why isnT your 
husband with you?'’^ 

Miss Harrington blushed and stammered : 

It wasnT quite convenient. Gentlemen have their own 
business, you know, and — 

“ I understand. Miss Harrington,^ ^ replied her new ac- 
quaintance, with a significant look; ‘‘ and women have 
their own business too, sometimes. Well, you take my ad- 
vice, and donT mention him in New Y^ork. Drop the hus- 
band altogether, and youTl find it the better for yourself. 

“ Of course I shall not obtrude my domestic affairs on 
the notice of strangers; but I should never think of deny- 
ing them,^^ said Georgie, somewhat indignantly. 

‘‘ They wonT think any the more of you for being mar- 
ried, my dear, and they may think a great deal the less. 
We donT reckon much of married ladies who work for 


MI^S HAKRIKGTON^S HUSBAI^D. 79 

their living over there. It’s the men’s business to support 
us, and we consider a woman mean who forgets it. If you 
are wise, you’ll keep your own counsel. ” 

“ Perhaps you are right,” said Georgie, sadly. 

“ I know I am. The fault of women is that they’re too 
unselfish. I saw that at once, and I resolved to correct it. 
I used to live for others at one time, but I live for myself 
now. I always keep four letters written up in the air be- 
fore me — S E L F — and I’ve been much the happier for 
it.” 

“That is an unusual doctrine,” remarked Georgie, 
smiling. 

“ Because the majority follow the old creeds, my dear, 
which are mostly wind, and never think of making a new 
one for themselves. But I shape my life according to my 
experience, and my experience has taught me to love my- 
self better than my neighbor. I get some reward for loving 
myself. People jump around when they see me coming. 
They know I won’t stand any nonsense. But I can’t re- 
member that my neighbor ever showed any gratitude for 
what I did for him. ” 

“It is true, perhaps,” replied Georgie; “but it sounds 
very terrible ! Never to have any one to live for you and 
love you!” 

“ Didn’t I just say you have yourself. Miss Harrington? 
and you may lay your bottom dollar that yourself will love 
yourself better than any one else will ever love you. But 
it is getting late. I guess the dinner-bell will soon ring. 
Well, I shall hope to see you at my house in New York, 
and to introduce you to some of our leading citizens before 
long. ” 

But, notwithstanding her lovely face and figure, and her 
own genuine admiration of them, Georgie Harrington did 
not feel at that moment as if she would care to see much 
more of Mrs, Lousada-Lorens. 


CHAPTEE XII. 

NEW FACES. 

It was a beautiful summer’s day when they landed in 
New York, and Georgie fell in love with the city at first 
sight. The happy combination of British solidity with 


80 MISS HAKKIN'GTON^S HUSBAND. 

Parisian gayety that pervaded its broad avenues and hand- 
some streets struck her fancy at once, and her spirits, which 
had been very much depressed till now, rose with the change 
of scene and atmosphere, and the novelty by which she was 
surrounded. There are some natures that can not grieve 
without injury to themselves, and Georgie Harrington, 
Avith her supersensitive and finely organized temperament, 
would have broken down under a prolonged strain. Be- 
sides, her recollections of her husband were so fraught with 
Avounded pride and a sense of injury to herself, that she 
put them from her resolutely whenever they arose, and 
thought, so checked, must become gradually more indis- 
tinct. 

The retrospect of her married life Avas like a half-healed 
wound that it hurt her to touch; her desire was never to 
lay a hand on it again; and she could not have found a 
better help to healing than the journey she had under- 
taken. Everything was so bright and fresh in HeAv York 
— everybody was so complimentary and genial. The pro- 
fession bowed down before her^ and private houses threAv 
open their portals at her approach. Her health Avas ex- 
cellent — she had plenty of lucrative work to fill up her time 
— and Louise Eletcher and Sissy contributed to keep her 
home bright. What wonder was it, then, if in a short time 
Georgie had almost persuaded herself that she had never 
known Avhat it was really to live until now! 

Mr. Maxim had established her in a suite of rooms in one 
of the principal hotels of the city; and on Mr. Eletcher 
leaving Hew York for the West with a traveling company 
Louise took up her residence with her friend. 

Georgie was rather surprised at first that Mrs. Fletcher 
did not go with her husband, as the journeys were easy 
ones (for America), and he was only to play at the prin- 
cipal towns. 

It Avould be such a splendid opportunity to see the 
country, she said, when discussing the subject. 

But Louise did not see it in the same light. She always 
spoke in such an effusive manner of her ‘‘ darling Dickey, 
that she led her hearers to believe she would not part Avith 
him for a day; but when it came to a question of leaving 
Hew York,' she clung in a girlish fashion to Georgie, and 
declared she could not go. So Mr. Fletcher (apparently 


MISS Harrington's husband. 81 

little loath) left his wife beliincl him, and set forth on his 
travels alone. 

Georgie was very glad of her friend's company. It was 
charming, when she got back to the hotel after a fatiguing 
rehearsal, to find Louise ready to accompany her out, or to 
spend the evening quietly by her side. 

^-^^^here is no companionship more delightful than that 
/ between two women who agree with one another. It is not 
/ necessary that they should both be intellectual, or have the 
/ same tastes or acquaintances. All that is required is sym- 
pathy with each other's troubles, and a spirit of non-inter- 
ference with each other's joys. Granted these conditions, 

such a friendship is almost perfect.} The irritating causes 

of jealousy, or doubt, or suspicion, chat so often mar the 
serenity of an affection between the sexes, have no place in 
it, and there is less formality or queue about feminine in- 
tercourse — less anxiety. 

Mrs. Fletcher was an excellent listener. She could talk 
freely, too, on subjects tha-t interested her; and she was full 
of anecdotes of her past life and conquests. By her own 
account every mail who had ever seen her had fallen in 
love with her; and she was not yet cured of the notion that 
many were still hopelessl}'' miserable because she had be- 
stowed her hand on Dickey. 

Georgie used to listen to these confidences, and laugh 
" over therh, never dreaming that Louise (even if she desired 
it) could find any one in the present willing to flirt with 
her. She was very busy with rehearsals for the first month 
she spent in New Y^ork, and had little time to think of 
anything but her appearance before an American audience, 
which she was to make in an Anglicized version of ‘‘ Diane 
de Lys." She was naturally very anxious, if not nervous, 
about it; and ’while she listened to Louise's confidences had 
really no time to think of any one but herself. 

Invitations poured in upon her, but she resolutely de- 
clined all hospitality until the ordeal was over. One per- 
son, however, she saw much of, and liked better as their 
acquaintance increased — Mrs. Lousada-Lorens. There, was 
an originality about this lady, and a genuineness in speak- 
ing of her own affairs that interested Georgie. Where 
there was no concealment, she argued, there could be noth- 
ing wrong. 

Mrs. Lousada-Lorens had a magnificent house in Fifth 


82 


MISS HAKRIKGTOIn^S husbai^d. 


Avenue. She drove the best carriage horses in New York, 
and wore the finest diamonds, and had, doubtless, in build- 
ing her nest for the second time, taken care to feather it 
well. 

Mr. Samuel Lorens, her husband, was an ugly little man 
of middle age, who adored his wife, and let her do exactly 
as she chose. And her choice was to be so hospitable and 
friendly, that it was difficult to resist her overtures. The 
only thing that Georgie refused to accept at her hands was 
a party to be given in her honor, before she had made her 
public appearance in New York. 

It was decided, therefore, that the invitations were to be 
sent out for a supper on the night of her dehut, to be given 
directly the performance was over. 

A few days beforehand Georgie was sauntering down 
Broadway with her new friend, when they encountered a 
tall, handsome man. upon the pavement. 

‘MVill you forgive me?^^ asked Mrs. Lousada-Lorens, 
insinuatingly, of Miss Harrington, as she stopped to speak 
to him. 

‘‘ Well, Gustav,'’^ she said, in a cordial tone, as they 
shook hands, ‘‘ what brings you to the city? I thought 
you were in San Francisco. 

“ I have only returned from it a week,-’^ replied the 
genrleman. “ And I, for my part, believed you to be in 
Europe. Your last letter said you would remain till 
Christmas. 

“ True; but I got tired of it. You know how soon I get 
tired of everything 

I do know it, to my cost,^^ he answered, with a grave 
smile. But I am keeping you from your friend. 

“ Let me introduce you, then. Miss Harrington, will 
you allow me to present Mr. Gustav Lousada?^^ 

The stranger bowed, made some commonplace remarks, 
and passed on. 

‘‘ He is handsome, isnT he?^^ inquired Mrs. Lousada- 
Lorens of Georgie. 

“He is a very striking-looking man/^ she answered. 
“ One of your connections, I suppose 

“ My dear, he is my husband — at least, he my hus- 
band, you know, before I married Mr. Lorens 

Georgie looked considerably surprised. 

“Ah, I suppose you think it curious I should still be 


MISS HAKRINGTO]S'"S HUSBAND. 


83 


friendly with him? But why should I not? We never 
quarreled. 1 merely left him because he couldn't support 
me. He's an elegant fellow when you know him; but he 
won't work, and marriage is no good without money! It 
was a real pity, and, to tell you the truth, I often regret 
it. No one but a woman knows what it is to part with her 
first love. If he had only had Mr. Lorens's fortune. But 
it is no use thinking of it," concluded Mrs. Lousada- 
Lorens, with a deep sigh. 

‘‘ It seems very, very strange to me," observed Georgie, 
half inclined to laugh. 

I dare say it does. The old country is so behind in 
everything. It doesn't know how to make people happy 
and good at the same time. But it wouldn't go down with 
Americans. We don't care to be tied to a man if we can't 
get along with him. We think it's better to part, right 
away. And there wouldn't be so many miserable marriages 
in Europe if you'd follow our plan." 

‘^I think* you are right there," said Georgie, as she 
thought of her own ill-fated marriage, and the wide separa- 
tion there was between herself and her husband now. 

“ But I suppose," she continued, hesitatingly — “ I sup- 
pose you don't ask Mr. Lousada to your parties, do you?" 

‘‘ No, my dear; I draw the line there. It might be 
awkward, as so many of my old friends still meet at my 
house. Not but what I believe Mr. Lorens would receive 
him. Lorens is a good creature — quite devoted to me, and 
willing to fall in with all my whims. But it wouldn't do 
for me to encourage Lousada too much. He might get 
into a '<v^ay of lounging about the house, and I am very 
careful of my reputation. Poor Lousada was always a 
lounger. It's the sort of work that suits him. Dear, 
dear! it seems ten thousand pities that a man with such a 
face should have no money!" 

‘‘ Had he money when you married him?" asked Georgie. 

“ Oh, dear, yes. How could we marry without it? But 
he speculated too much, my dear, and knew too little. 
That was where the mistake lay; and one day we woke up 
to find we were beggars. So I went home to my own peo- 
ple, and sued him for a divorce on the plea of non-support. 

It was the only thing left me to do. It was very sad, but 
it was necessary. Sometimes I feel as if I hadn't got over 
it yet. ' ' 


84 


MISS HARKINGTOX'S HUSBAND. 


But that is hardly fair to Mr. Lorens./’^ 

“ Poor dear Lorens! Yes; he would say that was an un- 
grateful speech on my part. And indeed I am perfectly 
contented with my lot. Have you seen my new pair of 
phaeton cobs, dear? They came up from Kentucky yes- 
terday. A birthday present from my husband. Oh, Lm 
a very lucky woman, there^s no doubt of that.^^ 

And the speaker's lovely face, with its delicate features 
and pink and white china comj)lexion, looked so thorough- 
ly honest as she spoke the words that there was no doubt 
she believed in them. 

The eventful evening for Georgie's first appearance ar- 
rived, and she -went to the theater in a state of excitement 
which kept all her nerves quivering like a stringed instru- 
ment beneath the bow. She was so irritable that the slam- 
ming of a door upset her; so impatient that the knotting 
of a ribbon made her dance; so anxious that her cheek 
paled and fiushed by turns, and her heart throbbed audibly, 
as each moment brought the time nearer for* her to step 
upon the stage. At last she was ready; at last the over- 
ture was ended, and she stood at the wings wdth strained 
eyes and clasped hands waiting for her cue. Mr. Maxim 
approached her with a look of admiration. 

‘‘ Courage!" he exclaimed. ‘‘You have the finest au- 
dience in New York waiting to receive you with acclama- 
tion. " 


“ Oh! Mr. Maxim, I hope they won't applaud me before 
I have done anjdhing to deserve it." 

“ You silly girl! do you suppose your fame has not pre- 
ceded you? Wh}^, there is not a man, woman, or child, 
seated in front who could not repeat every bit of your his- 
tory that has been made known to the public. They will 
receive you as a friend, and take your talent on trust. " 

He did not exaggerate; for, when the curtain rose, and 
she appeared before them, she was greeted with a deafen- 
ing welcome that would have given any artist courage to 
proceed. 

The warmth of her reception overcame her for a mo- 
ment, but as it subsided her energy returned, and she threw 
herself heart and soul into the work before her. 

Never had she interpreted the sad story of the love of 
Diana de Lys with greater pathos — never risen to the occa- 
sion more sublimely, nor wdth greater dignity. 


MISS HARRIMGTON^S HUSBAKD. 


85 


And when, in the last scene of all, she threw herself be- 
tween her husband and her lover, and received the ball in 
her own breast which was intended for his, the enthusiasm 
of her audience knew no bounds. 

Flowers were thrown upon the stage until it w^as carpeted 
Muth them — huge floral trophies, tied with the British 
colors, were handed over the foot-lights — the people rose 
en masse to cheer her, and the success of the new actress 
was established. 

Mr. Maxim led her on to receive their renewed congratu- 
lations, in a fever of delight, which he made no attempt to 
Conceal. He had played a bold card, and it had turned up 
trumps. He had every reason to congratulate himself. 

Georgie retreated to her dressing-room, worn out by the 
excitement of the evening. But she was not to rest there. 
She had to proceed to Mrs. Lousada-Lorens^s supper. 

A delicate robe of the palest French pink, trimmed pro- 
fusely with lace, was waiting for her to put on, and Mrs. 
Fletcher was ready to accompany her. So she dressed, 
wearily, and dragged herself down to the carriage. 

As she entered the drawing-room of Mrs. Lousada- 
Lorens, a low murmur of admiration greeted her arrival. 
She looked like a lovely blush-rose in her delicate robe, 
with her fair face flushed by all she had gone through, and 
by finding herself the queen of the evening. She was taken 
possession of at once, and placed on a sofa, while everybody 
in the room hurried to beg for an introduction to her. 

‘‘ Is all New York here to-night she managed to 
whisper to her hostess, who sat beside her. Mrs. Lousada- 
Lorens laughed. 

Not more than two hundred of them, but I believe 
some of them are coming up twice. They canT be satis- 
fied with only one look at you. And I donT wonder at it,' 
my dear, for you are real handsome! I want to introduce 
Mr. Hiram Boch to you though. He is dying to know 
3’ou, but unlike most men he is rather shy. Y^oiFll admire 
him, I am sure."’^ 

“ Hiram Boch !” repeated Georgie. ‘‘ What an extraor- . 
dinary name! I couldnT imagine any one good-looking 
who owned it. Who is Mr. Hiram Boch:^^ 

'' Well, he^s just the handsomest, and richest, and most 
elegant man in the city. You wonT think twice of his 
name when youNe once seen him. And he has a head on 


86 MISS HAHKIKGTON^S HUSBAKD. 

his shoulders, too, you bet. Ah, there he is, coming 
through the door- way. I"ll fetch him to you right away.^-^ 
And Mrs. Lousada-Lorens, starting in search of her 
friend, returned in another moment to introduce to Georgie 
Harrington the very handsomest man she had ever seen in 
her life. 


CHAPTER XIIL 

A KUPTUKE. 

There are occasional exceptions to the rule that a mixt- 
ure of race is not desirable, ancT Mr. Hiram Boch was a 
brilliant example of the fact. Born of a German father 
and a Spanish mother, he had inherited all the vitality, 
grand physique, and muscular strength of the Northern 
people with the beauty and softness of the natives of Spain. 

He possessed a magnificent figure, tall and well-built, 
and a face of remarkable charm. His complexion was 
olive; he had long, dark, half-shut eyes, with a searching 
glance in them which penetrated to the very soul of those 
he looked upon — a perfect nose, and a mouth which was 
too well cut to be covered with a silky black mustache. 

In fact, it would be difficult to say where Mr. Boehm’s 
physical proportions failed. He was the possessor also of 
a very sweet-toned voice, and was an adept in the great art 
of conversation. Before Georgie had heard him speak for 
five minutes she had forgotten all about his ridiculous 
name, or, if she had remembered it, would have told you 
that, as it was so singular, it just fitted him, who was, with- 
out doubt, the most remarkable man she had ever met in 
private life. 

She did not find him shy, as Mrs. Lousada-Lorens had 
affirmed, but she thought he was far more modest than the 
generality of his sex, considering the superior advantages 
he boasted of. It was only by little and little, as he bent 
over her, that she discovered that he had traveled far and 
wide — had visited, indeed, almost every quarter of the 
globe, and seen everything that was worth seeing. 

His knowledge of the drama and the modern professors 
of histrionic art was so extensive, that she was tempted at 
first to ask him if he was connected with the stage. He 
had seen Regnier and Lefevre, Rachel, Judic, and Bern- 


MISS HAKRIKGTOIT^S HUSBAND. 87 

hardt, and was perfectly familiar with Irving, Terry, BaT- 
ret, Toole, and all the latter-day lights of London. 

He had evidently read deeply both in French and En- 
glish, and had studied in the school of unacted dramas as 
well as in that which had been presented to the public. He 
had seen the lamented Aimee Decles in “ Diane de Lys,^^ 
and, without open flattery, drew so delicate a comparison 
between her work and that of the star that had just risen 
on New York, as really to impart knowledge whilst he dis- 
claimed the possibility of any improvement. 

Miss Harrington was as charmed by his ability as he ap- 
peared to be by hers. She had met no one in the country 
yet who had so greatly impressed her as Mr. Hiram Boch, 
and slie was puzzled to guess his position, or the means by 
which he had acquired his extent of knowledge. He cer- 
tainly was not an actor. The stage is not held in the same 
estimation in America that it is in England. Very few 
gentlemen step upon it, and no women in the position of 
ladies. 

Parents would rather, as a rule, see their sons serving in 
stores, and their daughters doing house-woi’k, than engaged 
in so equivocal a profession. And Mr. Boch looked hke a 
man of fashion and standing. He had the air, too, of one 
who is accustomed to the best society, and feels at home 
there. 

He paid Georgie very few compliments, and those very 
delicate ones, upon her acting, but his eyes and manner 
told her how he had been moved by it. 

After a long conversation he left her side to make room 
for others, but not before he had asked permission to call 
on her. Georgie accorded it willingly. She liked her new 
acquaintance so much she quite longed to see more of him. 
As he made liis flnal adieus, and passed out of sight, she 
turned eagerly to her hostess: 

‘ ‘ My dear Mrs. Lousada-Lorens, what a charming man 
Mr. Boch is; I donH remember when I have enjoyed acon- 
Yersation so much before. He seems to know everybody, 
and to have seen everything. What is he? Do tell me!^^ 

“ Why, my dear, he’s just Hiram Boch, and about the 
richest man in the city — that’ sail! His father was a mill- 
ionaire, and Hiram was the only child, and came in for 
every cent of it. He does nothing for his living, but he’s 
just the busiest man amongst us. He’s dead on yachting 


88 MISS HAERINGTON^S HUSBAKD. 

for one thing, and spends half his time on the water. Then 
he has a magnificent stud — his horses win all the races in 
.this country. He travels a great deal, too. In fact, it^s 
hard to say what he does not do. ” 

‘‘He is a most delightful companion,^ ^ said Georgie; 
“ he asked leave to call on me, and I gave it him. I 
should like to see some more of Mr. Boch. 

“ Notwithstanding his ‘ extraordinary name!’ ” said her 
friend slyly. 

“ Oh, I forgot everything about his name directly he 
began to talk to me. And after all, it suits him exactly. 
Is he married?” 

“ Married I No! He’s a great deal too wise^to marry. 
What should a man like that w^ant a wife for? He has 
nothing on earth to do but amuse himself. ” 

“ Well, I shall like him better as he is, ’’replied Georgie. 
“ He is a man to make a friend of ; and that becomes 
difficult when there is a wife in the way.” 

“You are right, ma cliere/^ cried Mrs. Lousada-Lorens, 
laughing, ‘‘ and if I am not much mistaken, Mr. Boch will 
be quite ready to make friends with you. ” 

Georgie had not seen the last of Mr. Boch that evening, 
for when she rose to go home she found him waiting in the 
vestibule, to wrap her cloak about her., and hand her to 
the carriage, and remind her once more that she had given 
him leave to call upon her, and he should have the h^onor 
to present himself at the hotel at a very early date. 

“ What a handsome fellow!” exclaimed Mrs. Fletcher, 
as they drove away; ‘ ‘ where did you pick him up, Georgie?” 

Louise had occasionally a coarse way of putting things, 
especially when she spoke of men, that grated on Georgie 
Harrington, and she answered, rather coldly: 

“ He was introduced to me during the evening. Where 
else could I have ‘picked him up,’ as you express it, 
Louise?” 

“ Well, you needn’t be testy, my dear. He seemed to 
me to spring from nowhere. I am glad he is going to call 
upon us. I must say I do like a handsome man, though I 
wouldn’t let my Dickey hear me say so. By the way, 
Georgie, did you see that young, fair fellow, who was by 
my side all the evening?” 

“No; you sat quite out of my sight. ” 

“ His name is Charlie Kandall. He is a young English- 


MISS HAREIMGTON^S HUSBAK^D. 


89 


man, settled out here. Such a ridiculous boy! Really, 
one would think, to hear him talk, I was the only woman 
he had ever seen. 

“ Is he so smitten, then?^^ asked Georgie, with a smile. 

Smitten ! my dear child! Smitten is no word for it! 
He talks as if he was crazy. 

‘ ‘ Then I should snub him, Louise, if I were you. It is 
no compliment fora man to talk to a woman in that fash- 
ion, the first time he meets her. 

‘‘ The first time! My dear Georgie, what are you think- 
ing of? I met Mr. Randall dozens of times in England. 
He was a friend of Dickey^s.’"’ 

‘‘Oh! I beg your pardon! I have not heard you men- 
tion him before. He can not be worth much, however, 
from what you say.'’^ 

“ I donT understand you,^'’ replied Mrs. Eletcher, some- 
what huffily. 

“ I mean that the sort of talk you allude to is no mark 
of friendship. On the contrary, I should call it great im- 
j)ertinence, especiq;lly from a boy to a woman of your age. 

“ Oh, you take everything too much au cle la lettre, 
Georgie! Of course I was only jesting. And I should be 
sorry to prejudice you against Charlie Randall; for I hope 
to see a good deal of him whilst I am here, for dear 
Dickey ^s sake. And it would be very unpleasant if you 
took a dislike to him.^^ 

“lam not likely to do that. You know I seldom even 
notice boys; I donT care enough for them.^^ 

“ He is a boy,^^ replied Louise, contradicting herself. 
“ He is six-and-twenty. Quite as old, I should think, as 
yoTH’ Mr. Boch!'^ 

Georgie did not answer; she did not like the tone the con- 
versation was taking, and she would not trust herself to 
re]3ly. She had reason, however, to remember it many 
times afterward, for Mr. Charlie Randall soon became a 
standing dish at the hotel. 

Her suite consisted of three bedrooms (one of which she 
had given up to Louise), and a sitting-room; and it was 
vexatious, when she returned from the theater, tired out, 
and only anxious to eat her supper and go to bed, to find 
this young man, night after night, sitting with Mrs. Fletcher 
until the small hours of the morning. With his appear- 
ance all the j)leasant communion she had enjoyed with her 


90 


MISS HAREINGTON^S HUSBAI^D. 


friend vanished. Louise was no longer ready to sit down 
quietly and eat her little supper with her — to listen to her 
confidences and impart her own. She was always dressed 
in an absurd fashion for an evening at home, with her 
false hair, and her rouge, and her powder well laid on, 
either sitting at the piano, and warbling ballads in a 
cracked voice, whilst Charlie Randall hung over the instru- 
ment, or lounging on the sofa, with the young man by her 
side, whispering and tittering behind her fan. 

At first Georgie Harrington mistook her friend^s interest 
in Mr. Randall for a purely naaternal one. Notwith- 
standing the frivolous conversation and the affectation of 
Mrs. Fletcher, she did not think it possible she could 
seriously believe him to be in love with her. But after 
awhile she could not help perceiving, not only that Louise 
credited the fact, but that she encouraged the idea. 

The discovery made Georgie angry, for the sake of Mr. 
Fletcher as well as for that of Louise. It was degrading to 
think that, whilst he was working hard in the West, his 
wife (who professed so much affection for him) should be 
carrying on a senseless flirtation with a young fellow half 
her own age in New York. So Georgie resolved to speak 
to her — the most honest perhaps, but decidedly the most 
ill-advised thing she could possibly do. 

If women wish to continue friends, they should never in- 
terfere with each other ^s dealings with the opposite sex. 
But Georgie ’s patience was wearing out. She had tried 
hints without avail. She had asked Louise privately to let 
Mr. Randall know that the afternoon was a more convenient 
time for calling than the evening; but Mrs. Fletcher said 
she could not do that, because he was always employed^ 
the afternoon. 

‘‘ What is his occupation, then?^^ demanded Georgie. 

He is a clerk in a publishing office.’’^ 

“ Has he no friends in the city? Whom does he live 
with?’^ ^ 

‘‘ He is quite alone, poor fellow, and lives in a boarding- 
house. 

‘‘ Well, I should think he can not live here so long with- 
out having friends to go to beside ourselves. He seems to 
me to be here every evening. 

‘‘ Oh, not every evening, Georgie! I have not seen him 
since Thursday till to-night 


MISS HARRIIIGT0I5'"S HUSBAND. 


91 


‘‘ And this is Saturday/^ observed Miss Harrington. 

“ Really, I think you are very inhospitable to count the 
days in this way. And Mr. Boch has been here twice this 
week also.'’^ 

Georgie blushed. She had begun already to think that 
Mr. Hiram Boch called oftener than was necessary. But 
she would not betray herself to Louise. 

“ I don^t see what Mr. Boehms visits have to do with the 
matter. He does not drop in night after night to supper 
without any invitation, and make as free with our rooms as 
if they were his own. And that is not all, Louise. I am 
aware that Mr. Randall often remains here long after I 
have gone to bed; and- the servants talk of it. Indeed it 
must be put a stop to!^^ 

Mrs. Fletcher grew as red as her cosmetics would allow 
her to do with indignation. 

I never heard of such a thing she exclaimed. I 
had no idea when I consented to share your rooms that I 
should not be allowed to see my own friends as often as I 
chose. I had better be in a prison at once. You seem to 
forget that whilst you are enjoying yourself at the theater, 
and flirting with whom you like, /am cooped up in this 
hotel, without a soul to speak to! I suppose you expected 
me to make a companion of that child Sissy 

“ You know I never expected anything of the sort,^^ an- 
swered Georgie, gravely; ‘‘ nor did I think that you would 
not make friends for yourself in the city; but surely you 
might find a more congenial companion than this young 
man. I won^t allude to your ungenerous remark about my 
flirting at the theater, for you know it is untrue. I do not 
profess the same attachment for my husband that you do 
for yours; but I have too much respect for myself to forget 
that I am married. And that is what I am afraid you do 
not remember as often as you should, Louise.^' 

At this reproof, gently as it was administered, Mrs. 
Fletcher’s temper displayed itself as it had never done to 
Georgie Harrington before. 

“ You are a very nice person to remind me of my duty!” 
she exclaimed, angrily; you, who have left your own hus- 
band to starve in England so that you might come out to 
gratify your insatiable vanity in this country. ” 

At this rude thrust Georgie grew suddenly pale. 

“ Do you mean that, Louise?” she asked, quietly. 


92 MISS haeringtok's husband. 

Yes, I do mean it, Mrs. Leglil I have stood up for 
you, and been your friend for years, and allowed no one to 
abuse you in my presence; but if this is to be my reward 
you had better know the truth at once. Every one (but 
me) has blamed you for your behavior to poor Captain 
Legh. There was not a dissentient voice on the matter. 
And, therefore, you are the last person in the world, in my 
opinion, who should presume to take me to task, and ac- 
cuse me of not doing my duty to poor Dickey 

‘‘ If that is indeed your opinion of me,^^ replied Georgie, 
sadly, ‘‘ it is time that we should part. I thought you were 
truer to me, Louise; I thought you spoke your real mind 
when you appeared to sympathize with the course of action 
I had taken; but since it is not so, it is better this close in- 
timacy of ours should cease. Without mutual confidence 
it has lost its charm. I shall always remember how long I 
thought you true to me; but I could not live with a person 
who distrusted me; and you will b^ freer, too, to entertain 
your own friends when we are apart. 

This was a consequence which Mrs. Fletcher had not an- 
ticipated, and it was not a welcome one. To live in E’ew 
York with Miss Harrington, who had taken the city by 
storm, and was becoming rapidly acquainted with the best 
people in it, was a very different thing from living in New 
York alone, with no claim upon society. She began to 
wish she had accompanied Mr. Fletcher to the West. But 
it was too late for that now; so she took refuge in an ap- 
parent acquiescence. 

‘‘ Certainly; I quite agree with you. I certainly could 
not consent to be coerced and restrained in this manner. I 
am not a child, Georgie!^' 

“ I know you are not, Louise. ” 

‘‘ And I can not submit to be told what is right and what 
is WTong; and so I will take your hint, and we will have 
separate rooms from to-morrow. 

Georgie shed a few tears over this rupture. It is so pain- 
ful to have to acknowledge that the friend in whom we have 
trusted is untrue. It makes us feel as if we had scattered 
our treasure broadcast, for the wind to carry where it may 
list. Notwithstanding which, she felt easier when Louise 
had taken her departure. The responsibility of her friend^s 
vagaries was lifted from her shoulders, and the peace that 
ensued was very evident. 


MISS HAEilIKGTOK^S HUSBAI^D. - 93 

Georgie felt at that moment that it would have been bet- 
ter if she had elected from the first to live her new life with 
only Sissy for her companion. 


CHAPTER XIY. 

A PRACTICAL WOMAK. 

As soon as Mrs. Lou sada-Lorens found that Mrs. Fletcher 
had parted company from Georgie. Harrington she invited 
the latter to take up her residence in her house. 

Georgie objected on a dozen scores. The late hours she 
was compelled to keep — the irregularity of her movements 
— the presence of Sissy and Rachel. 

But Mrs. Lousada-Lorens bore all her objections to the 
ground, and became quite affectionate with the amount of 
pressure she put ujDon her. 

‘‘ You see. Eve taken a real liking to you,^^ she argued, 
“ and it will be a favor if you will come and helj) fill my 
big, lonely house. Lorens is half his time out west, and 
I ^m left too mudi to myself.^-’ 

“But you must have so many friends,^^ commenced 
Georgie. 

“ So, Miss Harrington, I haven T! I^m not fond of my 
own sex as a rule, and the other is too dangerous. Youh’e 
about the only woman I ever took a fancy to, or thought I 
could live with. Xow — if youfil forgive my saying so — I 
didnH like your friend; there was a false ring about her I 
detected at once.-’ ^ 

“And yet Louise has been a good friend to me for years 
past, notwithstanding our little difference,^’ said Georgie, 
sighing. 

“ My dear, you’re too good yourself; that’s what’s the 
matter. A^ou take people too much on trust, and — if you 
won’t be offended — ^you tell them a great deal too much of 
your own affairs. That is a terrible mistake. AYu should 
listen to all you hear, and tell nothing in return. It’s the 
only way to get on in this world. ” 

“But then we should have no sympathy — no comfort in 
our troubles, ” cried Georgie, plaintively. “How should 
we bear them, Mrs. Lousada-Lorens, without the affection 
of our friends?” 


94 MISS HARRINGTON^S HUSBAND. 

''Sympathy? Pooh! my dear, iPs curiosity, that^s all! 
You tell another woman what you tliink, and feel, and have 
done, and she listens with open mouth, and repeats it with 
her own embellishments to the next person she sees. Now, 
I'^ve been very lucky in this world, and I attribute it en- 
tirely to the reason that I^’ni an excellent listener, but 
directly people try to get anything out of me I shut up like 
a clam! What’s the use of telling your troubles to your 
friends? Do you think they care for them? Not they! 
Each one cares only for his own distresses, and to remedy 
them he would walk over his friends^ graves !^^ 

‘‘ That is a very sad doctrine, Mrs. Lousada-LorensT^ 

‘‘ It^s a true one. Miss Harrington, as you will acknowl- 
edge when you grow older. People say I’m a cold woman. 
Weil, perhaps I am; but it’s the world that has made me 
so. There was a time when I, too, sought solace for my 
griefs in the confidence of my fellow-creatures. And how 
did they repay me? Scattered my most holy secrets to the 
winds, and then declared they had never repeated them! 
But women will say anything, my dear! I suppose you 
have found that out?” 

‘‘ I know that the majority of them are very deceitful,” 
said Georgie. 

“Yes; and the majority is a large one. I think it must 
be because you have such an ingenuous face, and are such 
a child for a woman of your age, that I want to know more 
of you. Now, will you bring your boxes over to my house, 
and settle down there for as long as you like, or not?” 

“ You ask me so generously that I don’t know how to 
refuse,” replied Georgie. “So I will come, at least for a 
few weeks, or till I see you are tired of me.” 

“ You’ll see it soon enough if it comes to pass,” replied 
Mrs. Lousada-Lorens, bluntly, “ for I don’t hide my feel- 
ings under a bushel. I’m not one of those women who 
will kiss you all day and call you ‘ darling,’ and then turn 
round and tell the next comer that you have an execrable 
temper. I’m not demonstrative by any manner of means; 
but people soon see if I like them or not. And mind one 
thing. I don’t wish to force your confidence; but if you 
ever do tell me anything, I shall be secret as the grave.*^ I 
pride myself on the fact that no one, not even an enemy, 
has ever suffered through my love of tattling. For to tell 
you the truth I do not feel sufficient interest in any one to 


MISS HARRII^GTOIT^S HUSBAND. 


95 


care to talk about them. I can find more enlivening topics 
in my own brain. 

“ I believe you make yourself out to be much worse than 
you are/’ said Georgie. 

“ Indeed I do not. I tell you the simple truth. I like 
you vastly; but I love only myself. There may have been 
a time when I did otherwise, but I found it didn’t pay. 
I’m an excellent wife; but I don’t love my husband, and 
he knows it. That is what keeps him so devoted to me. 
Men never care for what they are sure of. Without the 
excitement of uncertainty their love soon fails. Women 
have generally to thank themselves for an unhappy mar- 
riage. ” 

“ Do you really think so?” exclaimed Georgie. 

I am sure of it.. They let their husbands see that they 
are entirely theirs — that there is nothing more to strive for 
— and the men lay down their arms in consequence. The 
very means they choose by which to show their affection 
renders it valueless. There is nothing like keeping a man 
off, and letting him see that he can not have it all his own 
way!” 

“ It is so difficult when you like a man,” said Georgie. 

‘‘ Not at all, if you school yourself to it. I’ve had two 
of the best husbands in the world quite devoted to me, and 
I’ve been a mystery to each of them; but then I began as I 
intended to go on. They were my slaves during the days 
of courtship, and I took care never to change places with 
them. Consequently they both admire me to this day, and 
Lousada would come back to me to-morrow if he could.- 
He often tells me he has never met my equal since we 
parted. ” 

“ I can’t think how you could have parted with him so 
easily!” exclaimed Georgie. 

Ah, my dear Miss Harrington, if I had been so foolish 
as to follow the dictates of my heart I should not have 
done so perhaps; but my practical wisdom stepped in to 
save me. I argued that neither his love nor mine could 
survive the blighting breath of poverty, and, therefore, it 
was wiser to part whilst we had something to regret. You 
can see how successful my argument has been. Mr. 
Lousada meets me to-day with all the warmth of an old 
friend, and we maintain a real interest in each other. Is 
that not better than fighting and quarreling, and separat- 


96 MISS HARKIXGTOM^S HUSBAND. 

ing with anger and malice in oiii’ hearts? But what have 
I said to upset you, dear Miss Harrington? Surely it is 
not I who have brought those tears into your eyes?^^ 

It is not your fault, indeed, stammered (leorgie. 
‘‘ But perhaps 3^011 have guessed my own marriage has not 
been quite a happy one, and your words make me think of 
it” 

Ah, it is not an uncommon case in the old country, is 
it? There are a great many miserable marriages there. 
Your women are not worldly enough; they sit down and 
cry when they ought to act. You wonH find the Ameri- 
cans so soft. If the knot galls them they untie it; and if it 
can^t be untied it can be cut. ^Yhat would become of all 
business if partnership were indissoluble?'’^ 

“ But it is impossible to look upon marriage as a civil 
contract only,'’^ said Georgie. 

“ That^s just the mistake you make in Europe, Miss 
Harrington, not to regard it as a matter of busines. What 
more can it be between two people who hardly know each 
other? Ik’s the business of life, and it^s no good thinking 
of it as a union of angels. There are no angels living in 
the nineteenth centuiy— there are only men and women — 
and if we donT want to fail Ave must protect ourselves 
against them!^^ 

‘‘ I feel you are right from a practical point of view, 
Mrs. Lousada-Lorens; but the theory is a hard one. It 
pulls down all one’s faith in one’s fellow-creatures. ” 

“ Have you any faith left in them, then?” 

Kot much, I am afraid.” 

‘‘ Just so; and the older you grow the less you will have. 
The best thing y^ou can do is to forget you ever cherished it, 
and enjoy yourself as much as you can in the present. 
When may I expect to see 3^011 at my house?” 

“ I am ready at any time, since 3^ou are good enough to 
wish to have me.” 

Then I shall come round and fetch you to-morrow, in 
time for luncheon. ” 

At the appointed hoirt’ Mrs. Lousada-Lorens appeared, 
and conveyed Georgie to her house, where she was lodged 
in a suite of rooms fit for a princess. She knew that the 
Lorens lived in the best st3de, but was not prepared for the 
magnificence that surrounded her. 

Mrs. Lousada-Lorens loaded her with j)resents and with 


MISS HAREIKGTON^S HUSBAND. 


97 


luxuries, gave large parties in her honor, and seemed never 
better pleased than when she was listening to her conversa- 
tion; and yet, with all her goodness, they seemed to draw 
no nearer to each other. 

Her hostess was bright and generous, and amiable as 
could be, but she reposed no confidences in Georgie, and 
she asked for none. She was quite lost sometimes in ad- 
miration of her guest^s talent, both on and off the stage, 
but she never gave vent to her feelings in a kiss of con- 
gratulation. 

She was different from any woman that Georgie had ever 
met before, and that was perhaps the secret of her liking 
for her. 

She kept an open house, and her salons were crowded 
with men of business, fashion, and letters — many of whom 
clustered round Mrs. Lousada-Lorens like flies about a 
honey-pot; for this woman, with her lovely, though in- 
animate features, her fine figure, and fashionable dress, 
was a very attractive object to most of her visitors, and 
some were eager to try if they could not call something 
more than a frosty smile upon her face. 

But she was equally indifferent to all. She was never 
rude, but she was never more than polite. Admiration 
held no danger for her, because she had no value for it. 

One day, when Georgie was jesting about the number of 
adorers she possessed, and wondering that Mr. Lorens was 
not jealous of their attentions, she cut her very short: 

“ My dear Miss Harrington, Mr. Lorens knows me bet- 
ter than you do. He would tell you that the whole of New 
York might be at my feet without exciting the least alarm 
in his mind. There is no credit due to me for it. I like 
to hear them talk, and to number them amongst my 
friends; but nothing more.^^ 

There was a fascination for Georgie about Mrs. Lousada- 
Lorens that she could not jresist, and unconsciously she 
began to imbibe some of her imorthodox opinions, and to 
question whether her own misfortunes were not due to her 
having shown too much heart, instead of too little. 

We have always reached a dangerous stage of self-argu- 
ment when we think we have been too good and lenient 
toward the faults of our fellow-creatures. 

In rating our powers of forgiveness too high, we run the 
risk of believing we are in no need of forgiveness our- 


98 


MISS HARKIHGTOl^'S HUSBAND. 


selves; and Georgie had no true fi-Fend near her at that 
moment to keep her humble. She was surrounded by 
praise and flattery. 

Public and private opinion combined to raise, rather 
than depress, her bump of self-appreciation. The press 
lauded her efforts to the skies, and she gained fresh admir- 
ers every day. Not the least amongst them was Mr. 
Hiram Boch. 

He had unlimited means at his command wherewith to 
gild his friendship, but he used them with so much deli- 
cacy that Georgie scarcely guessed they were expended for 
her benefit alone. 

When he inaugurated a magnificent feast at Delmonico^s, 
and invited a host of his acquaintances to meet Mrs. 
Lousada-Lorens and herself, she was not supposed to know 
that the banquet cost four times the money it need have 
done because it was given in her favor. 

When she accepted his offer to lend her a horse and ac- 
company her out riding, no one told her that the steed that 
carried her was an Arab palfrey that Mr. Boch had bought 
expi’essly for the occasion. But New York knew it. 

The young American seemed to have taken a great fancy 
to her little sister, and this was a plane on which Georgie 
could meet his advances with perfect propriety. 

How could she but be grateful for the pleasure he gave 
to Sissy: the baskets of bonbons he lavished on her, the in- 
terest he took in her childish chatter, her likes and dislikes, 
her pets and playthings. 

Sissy thought Mr. Hiram Boch quite the most delightful 
friend that she had ever made, and it was a settled thing 
between them that when the warm weather came they were 
to be married and go to Saratoga. 

The elder sister laughed at her vagaries and was happy 
in her pleasures, and thought, if Sissy were only a few years 
older, what a very nice arrangement it would be. She 
never seemed to notice that whilst Mr. Boch was talking to 
the little girl he was gazing at her, or that he looked more 
pleased at a word of thanks from her lips than at all the 
child ^s effusive gratitude. 

And so the days wore away, and brought the one that 
was to undeceive her. 


MISS HARBIi^GTON^S HUSBAND. 


99 


CHAPTER XV. 

A TERRIBLE MISTAKE. 

Georgie Harrington had now been some months in 
America. The beautiful autumn had given place to win- 
ter, which was now fast turning into spring. And yet 

Diane de Lys still held the boards, and Mr. Maximus 
theater was crowded nightly with an enthusiastic audience. 

Never had an English actress made such a sensation in 
New York before, nor met with so warm and generous a 
reception. Her manager rubbed his hands over his re- 
ceipts, and was determined that the second venture should 
exceed the first in popularity. It was now in active course 
of preparation. Every day was spent at rehearsal, and 
Georgie had no time to attend to anything but her business. 

She had not received a line from her husband since leav- 
ing England, nor had she written to him. His last letter 
had wounded her pride so terribly that she felt hard and 
cold when she thought of him. If he chose to refuse her 
offer of assistance, she said to herself, he might get on. as 
best he could. , Doubtless his aristocratic family would not 
permit him to starve, and if they let him feel the sting of 
poverty, he might learn better to appreciate what he had 
cast away so lightly. 

She thought of him oftener than she would have liked to 
confess, but her thoughts had no love in them, or she per- 
suaded herself that it was so. And they were known to 
her own heart only, for she seldom mentioned Captain 
Legh^s name. 

Once or twice she had timidly approached the subject 
with Mrs. Lousada-Lorens, but that lady^s strictures on 
her weakness, in even thinking of such a man, were so 
severe that Georgie did not venture to broach it again; and 
since it could not be remedied it was better not discussed. 
She had quite made up her mind that she and Gerard would 
never live together again, and had almost decided to take 
up her residence in New York. She could not live in Eng- 
land (so she told herself) while matters continued as they 
were. To walk about the streets of London, with the pos- 
sibility of meeting him at any corner, would make her life 


100 MISS HARKIMGTOM^S HUSBAND. 

a purgatory to her. So far she confided to Louise, the only 
person to whom she ever opened her lips on the subject. 
Mrs. Fletcher had not found it advisable to keep up their 
little estrangement for long. 

The removal of Geoi’gie from the hotel had been a blow 
to her, for she foresaw how many advantages she would 
lose by the transaction. But she loved the leeks and garlic 
of Egypt too well not to willingly sacrifice her pride for 
their sake. Before many weeks were over a penitent note 
found its way from her to Miss Harrington, begging her to 
forgive the past and receive her bosom friend into favor 
again. 

And Georgie did it, of course. She was not the sort of 
woman to hold out against such a prayer. She forgot all 
Mrs. Fletcher’s unkindness at once, and remembered only 
the time when there had been no flaw in their affection. 

Louise could never be exactly what she had been to her 
again, for the links of a chain thus rudely strained are not 
easily bent into their former position. 

But she did not let her see the change; she received her 
with her former cordiality, and talked to her as confiden- 
tially as of old. 

Naturally, too, she introduced her to her friends when 
any occasion presented itself, and made no secret of her 
friendship with Mr. Hiram Boch. 

But when the new melodrama was about to be put upon 
the stage, every one had to go to the wall to make room for 
it, and Georgie saw scarcely anything of Louise or Mrs. 
Lousada-Lorens. 

The few moments she could call her own, between the 
end of the rehearsal and the commencement of the night’s 
work, §he usually devoted to Sissy, who ran about New 
York at her own sweet will, with no better chaperonage 
than that of Kachel. 

One afternoon, when there had been such a blizzard ” 
blowing through the city that Georgie shivered in her car- 
riage, though wrapped from head to foot in furs, she re- 
turned home to find Sissy lying on her bed fast asleep. 

“ Why, how is this, Eachel?” she asked: “ is Miss Sissy 
tired?” 

I don’t know, ma’am! I don’t think she can be! We 
were not out much over an hour. ” 

“ Do you mean to say you took the child out on such a 


MISS HAREIHGTOH^S HUSBAND. 101 


day as this? Really, Rachel, I thought you had more 
sense. 

‘‘ Well, ma^am, I didn^t know that it would do her any 
harm, and I don^t know as it has! Miss Sissy was bent upon 
going down to Twenty-fourth Street to buy something at 
the fancy store, and she was well wrapped up, and wore her 
furs.^^ 


“ What made her go to sleep? I never knew her do such 
a thing before.-’^ 

“ I canT say, ma^am! When she came home she said 
she would lie down and read — you see she has a book in her 
hand — and after awhile I saw she was asleep, so I thought 
it best not to wake her!^^ 

“ Well, she must be waked now, at any rate, for dinner 
will be on the table in a few minutes, and you have not 
changed her frock! 

“ Wake up. Sissy !^^ continued Georgie, as she roused her 
little sister, it is nearly dinner-time, dear; you must get 
up!^^ 

Sissy opened her blue eyes, gazed at Georgie in a vacant 
wav, and closed them again. 

Why, what is this? Going to sleep again? You lazy 
child !^^ exclaimed Miss Harrington. “ DonT you hear me 
speak to you. Sissy? Dinner is ready !^^ 

‘‘ I donT want any dinner!'’^ replied the child, fretfully. 
“ Do leave me alone, Georgie. I^m so sleepy. 

“ But that is nonsense, dear! You must try and shake 
it off. You will be hungry in another hour, and then you 
will be sorry you didnT take my advice! Come! get up, 
there ^s a good girl.^'’ 

But to all her coaxing Sissy only rephed, plaintively: 

I am so hot and sleepy!^'’ 

Georgie laid her hand on her forehead. 

“ Why, so she is — burning hot! Rachel, she must have 
caught cold. You had better put her in a warm bath be- 
fore she goes to bed to-night. And would you prefer to 
have some tea up here. Sissy, instead of going down to din- 


‘‘ I donT want any tea, Georgie,^ ^ said Sissy. Then she 
roused herself sufficiently to say: “ It^s Hiram's birthday 
to-morrow, and I've got the most beautiful little vase for 
him," and fell to sleep again immediately. 

Georgie became alarmed, but Mrs. Lousada-Lorens as- 


102 


MISS HAERINGTON^S HUSBAND. 


sured her it was nothing uncommon, and merely the result 
of exposure to the extreme cold. So she went to the thea- 
ter, and left her sister under the charge of Eachel without 
much anxiety. 

The following morning, however, it was very evident that 
Sissy was ill. Her head was like fire; her body hot and 
cold by turns; her breathing oppressed, and her eyes un- 
naturally bright. 

A local doctor was sent for, and determined she had 
merely a cold on the chest, but by the evening he was 
obliged to confess it was pneumonia. 

Geprgie was in an agony. Pneumonia was killing its 
hundreds a week in New York at that moment, and her 
anxiety for her little sister ^s safety was extreme. Yet she 
could not steal one minute from her work. At seven 
o'’ clock precisely she must be at the theater, and spend four 
mortal hours without any news of Sissy. 

How shall I bear it?^^ she exclaimed to Mrs. Lousada- 
Lorens. ‘‘ I shall fancy every hour that she is worse. I 
feel as if I should go wild!^^ 

You shall not have that terrible suspense to suffer, 
dear Miss Harrington,'’^ said Mr. Boch, who happened to 
be present. “ With our hostesses permission I will remain 
here, and carry you news of your little sister throughout 
the evening.-’'’ 

“ Yoiif Mr. Boch!’^ 

“ Yes, I! Why not? Could I be better employed? 
Each half hour you shall receive a bulletin. It will be a 
comfort to me to carry them backward and forward; for 
you know how fond I am of — Sissy. 

‘‘ Pray do, Mr. Boch,^’ interposed Mrs. Lousada-Lorens, 
“ for it will be a comfort to me to have you here in case of 
any emergency. I am so useless in sickness; it frightens 
me, and takes all my nerve away.-’^ 

Georgie turned still paler. She had proved Mrs. Lousada- 
Lorens'’s incapacity as a nurse, and knew what she said of 
herself to be correct. But the idea of an “ emergency 
alarmed her. 

“ Don’t speak like that, Mrs. Lousada-Lorens!” said 
Mr. Boch, quickly. “ You are frightening Miss Harring- 
ton without cause! Sissy possesses a vigorous constitution, 
and will doubtless have taken a turn for the better by night- 


MISS HAERIITGTOK^S HUSBAND. 103 

fall. And I will guarantee Miss Harrington receives regu- 
lar bulletins of her condition till then.-"^ 

Georgie thanked him with trembling lips, but went off in 
the deepest distress nevertheless. But Mr. Hiram Boch 
kept his promise. He drove to and fro from the house to 
the theater all the evening and cheered Georgie ^s heart by 
his hopeful accounts. But he did not tell her the truth, 
for as night drew on the child grew rapidly worse, until the 
local doctor shook his head, and confessed the case was get- 
ting the mastery of him. 

“ Ho you mean she^ll die?^^ cried Mr. Boch. ‘‘ Non- 
sense; she shall not die! 1^11 fetch Sartoris from Brook- 
lyn that being the name of a famous doctor who had 
lately effected several remarkable cures. 

He made a call at the theater on his way, to assure the 
anxious sister that all was going on well, and then flew, as 
fast as his horses would carry him, to Brooklyn, returning 
with the famous doctor in tow. 

It was done just in time. Another half hour, perhaps, 
and Sissy would never have recovered from the pneumonia. 

Hr. Sartoris countermanded everything that the local 
surgeon had ordered, and stood by the bedside whilst his 
remedies were being applied. An hour later the patient 
was pronounced to be out of danger, just as Miss Harring- 
ton, eager for news, returned from the theater. 

She found Mrs. Lousada-Lorens, Mr. Boch, and the new 
doctor, in the child^s room, and guessed at once that there 
was danger. 

What is it?” she cried. “ Is my sister worse?” 

“ No> my dear young lady, she is better, thanks to the 
promptitude of this gentleman, ” said Hr. Sartoris, indicat- 
ing Hiram Boch. ‘‘ Had he been half an hour later in 
fetching me here, I can not say whether she would have 
been living now.-’"’ 

‘‘ Oh! Mr. BochL^’ she exclaimed, with swimming eyes, 
“ hoio can I repay you?” 

I am paid already,” he replied, in seeing the success 
of Hoctor Sartoris. I knew you could not spare your little 
sister yet.” 

Georgie could not answer him; she turned away, choking 
with emotion. 

But when they had all gone for the night, and she had 
time to talk over the past danger with Mrs. Lousada- 


104 MISS HARRINGTOM^S HUSBAMD. 

Lorens, she was overwhelmed with gratitude for the service 
Mr. Boch had rendered her. 

“ How good of him!^^ she exclaimed, fervently, ‘‘ and I 
hardly said ‘ thank you. ^ Oh, I hope he didnH think me 
unmindful of his kindness. I shall not be happy now until 
I have seen him again, and thanked him in person for it 
all.^^ 

And, as soon as they met, she poured her gratitude into 
his ear. 

‘‘Mr. Boch, I can never, never thank you sufficiently. 
Do you know what you have done for me? My sister is my 
greatest treasure — the creature I love best in the world — 
the only one left to me to love. If she had died my life 
would have seemed empty. And it was your forethought 
that saved her. I don^t know what to say; words are 
powerless to express what I feel. I only wish I could repay 
your goodness, even if it were by the sacrifice of my life.-’^ 

And here Georgie drooped her beautiful face into her 
hands, and cried with pleasure and excitement. 

“ Dear Miss Harrington, to have restored your sister to 
you is all the reward I looked for. And yet, if you feel the 
obligation, it is in your power to wipe it off at once and for 
ever. 

“ Can I really? Only tell me how exclaimed Georgie, 
raising her flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes. 

“You say I have given you back your sister. Give me 
yourself instead of her!’^ 

“ Mr. Boch— 

“Ho; do not answer until you have heard me out! I 
do not profess to be able to offer you anything adequate to 
the gift I ask, yet all that I have shall be yours. It will 
be my pride to take you from this life of toil for ever, and 
set you on a pedestal for the world to envy and admire, and 
I will love you — as I have loved you from the first moment 
that we met — till the last day of my life!^^ 

“ Stay, Mr. Boch! — ^for Heaven^s sake say no more! I 
appreciate your goodness fully, but there has been a terri- 
ble mistake! I — 

“ Do not tell me you are engaged!^' he said, hastily. 

“ Worse — a thousand times worse! I ought to have told 
you from the first! I am married 


MISS habeingtok's husband. 


105 


CHAPTER XVL 

AN AKGUMENT. 

When Ceorgie Harrington told Hiram Boch, in her im- , 
pet nous way, that she was married, the young man started ! 
from her as if he had been struck. i 

‘‘ Married!’^ he repeated, slowly — “ married I And 
when your name is Miss Hariington?^^ 

‘‘ My name is not Miss Harrington. I am only called so 
on the stage. I am the wife of Captain Gerard Legh. I 
wish I had told you so from the beginning; but it is not a 
subject I am fond of discussing. 

Mr. Boch left the seat he occupied at her side, and went 
and leaned against the mantel-piece in silence. 

You have been very cruel to me,^^ he said, after a long 
pause, during which Georgie fanci^ she could hear the 
beating of his heart — very, very cruel! You have seen 
my devotion to you; you must have guessed my intentions; 
and yet you h^ not the mercy to undeceive me until it 
was too late!^^ 

Georgie hung her head in the utmost distress. 

‘‘ Indeed — indeed, Mr. Boch, you do me wrong! You 
have been very kind to me, and Sissy, and I am deeply 
grateful to you, but I never thought you felt more than a 
friend should feel toward us both. I have been blind per- 
haps, but I have not been willfully unkind. I had no idea 
that you would speak to me as you have done to-day. 

‘‘Ah ideaf^ he said, bitterly. “You came over here, 
with all the attractions of your beauty and genius, and pass 
amongst us under a feigned name, and then you say you 
had no idea you would have the power to sway our hearts 
with our senses. Is this not a little bit of affectation. Miss 
Harrington? My knowledge of your sex hitherto has not 
tended to convince me of their humility where their 
charms are concerned. 

“ I am not surprised you should think badly of me — 
commenced Georgie. 

“ No, no, I did not say interposed Mr. Boch, 

’ “But why have you kept me in the dark so 


106 


MISS HAERIMGTOM^S HUSBAND. 


‘‘ I assure you I have utterly mistaken the driffc of your 
attentions to my sister and myself. Knowing that I am 
married, I am not so keen about such things perhaps as a 
young girl would be. I can only express my regret for the 
mistake I have led you into, Mr. Boch, and ask you to par- 
don meT^ 

‘‘ You know there can be no need of such a word be- 
tween you and me. Miss Harrington. But answer me one 
question: Why have you dropped your married name?^^ 

“ I have not dropped it in England; but I have been 
known by my maiden name ever since I stepped upon the 
stage, and I never anticipated it would create confusion on 
this side of the Atlantic. ^ 

“ But where is your husband, then?^^ 

“ He is at home,^-’ said Georgie, blushing. 

“ He could let you come out to this country — so young 
and beautiful as you are — without the protection of his 
presence? What was he about? He must have guessed 
you would be surrounded by admii’ers. He must be rather 
a strange person. 

“ Perhaps he trusted me,^^ said Georgie. 

When we value a thing very much. Miss Harrington, 
we guard it; but perhaps Captain Legli has business that 
detains him at home. Is he also on the stage ?^^ 

“ Oh, no!^^ cried Georgie, smiling at . the idea of what 
Gerard would think at being susj)ected of following the 
profession of an actor. “ He has no work — he does noth- 
ing.^" 

“ And you toil all the year round. Is that the fashion 
in England, Miss Harrington?^ ^ 

When people have no money they must make it,^^ re- 
plied Georgie, evasively. 

“ True. Every American will agree with you in that 
sentiment. We work ourselves from our cr^les to our 
graves, but we never let our women work for us. We are 
a rough young nation, but we would rather starve than do 
that.^^ 

“ Mr. Boch,^^ said Georgie, suddenly, “ I think it is only 
fair to you and myself that you should learn the circum- 
stances that have led me to be so silent on the subject of 
my married life. You have been so kind and generous to 
me and Sissy, and this last act of yours toward her has 
made me so entirely your debtor, that I should be sorry you 


MISS HAREIlSrGTOll’S HUSBAKD. 


107 


should think I could play willfully with the feelings of any 
one. 

“ I do not think it indeed, Miss Harrington. Those un- 
just words escaped me in the first sting of my disappoint- 
ment. I know and feel that you are far too good for any- 
thiog of the sort.^^ 

“ Still, I will tell you, persisted Georgie, “for I am 
sure you will respect my confidence. I was married three 
years ago to a man who promised to keep, and whom I be- 
lieved to be capable of keeping, me as a wife of a gentle- 
man. But he is extravagant, and thoughtless, and he ran 
through his money in a twelvemonth, so that I was com- 
pelled, for all our sakes, to return to the stage 

“ He set you to work for him, in fact.-’^ 

“ It was nothing she cried. “ I love my profession, 
and would rather be an actress than an idle woman any 
day. That is not what I complain of. But my husband 
did not treat me with common fairness; he took my earn- 
ings and spent them freely, whilst he abused the means by 
which they were gained. And — and — so dissensions arose 
between us, and our lives became very unhappy, until there 
was nothing to do but to separate. It is better to^ separate, 
is it not,'’^ she concluded, wistfully, “ than to live a life of 
continual variance?^ ^ 

“ Much better! There is no doubt of it,^^ he answered. 
“ And so, I suppose, this gentleman, who can speild money, 
but is too fine to make it, allows you to support liim in 
England, whilst you work out here?'’'’ 

“ Oh, no! I must do him the justice to say that he has 
refused any assistance from me now. For we are sepa- 
rated, Mr. Boch. It is all over — we shall never live to- 
gether again !^^ said Georgie, sadly. 

Hiram Boch did not seem, to share her regret at the an- 
nouncement. 

“ But if that is the case why donT you divorce him, and 
get rid of him altogether?^ ^ he demanded, eagerly. 

“I canT divorce him !^^ she rephed, reddening at the 
idea. 

“Hot in England, I suppose. You have such queer 
laws over there — they seem to frustrate the very object for 
which they were enacted. But in this country you would 
find it a much easier affair !^^ 

“ So I have heard. 


108 


MISS haerington's husband. 


‘‘ There is our mutual friend for example, Mrs. Lousada- 
Lorens; her first husband was an idle, dissipated fellow, 
who squandered his money, and made her more miserable 
than she will acknowledge now. Had they remained to- 
gether, their lives would probably have resulted in some-, 
thing much worse. As it is, she was wise enough to take 
means to set herself free from him, and she is happy. 

“ Yes, she has told me as much! It is all very different 
from what it is at home. And it certainly seems to me 
that, in some cases, it must be an enormous advantage.^' 

“ Of course it is. It gives people a chance of rectifying 
an error, and beginning life anew. There are states in 
this country where divorces may be obtained on the various 
pleas of non-support, incompatibility of temper, and vio- 
lence, as well as on graver charges. How I wish. Miss 
Harrington, that I could see you free! How much happier 
you would feel for knowing you were so!^^ 

“ But such freedom would be of no use to me in England, 
Mr. Boch; the laws there are very stringent, and until they 
set me at liberty I should be considered a married wom- 
an. 

“ Then why go back to England? .Why not decide to 
make your home amongst us? Do you dishke America too 
much to live here altogether?^^ 

“ On the contrary, I have learned both to admire and 
love her. I think yours is the grandest nation, after our 
own, that I have ever sebn; and the cordiality with which 
I was received amongst you made me feel at once that I 
was with friends. 

“ Then stay with us. Miss Harrington, and let us be 
friends forever. I have an eminent legal acquaintance in 
Hew York, Judge Sedgeley; let me put your case in his 
hands; he will tell you just how you stand, and everything 
that is necessary to be done in order to procure your 
liberty. Shall I appoint a time for him to call on you?-’^ 

“ Ho! no! Mr. Boch!^^ exclaimed Georgie, shrinking 
from the idea, “ I have never even contemplated the possi- 
bility of being legally separated from my husband; the 
notion is too strange and startling to me. Pray say no 
more about it, and consider the confidence I have reposed 
in you as sacred. I should not have mentioned it, except 
that I wished you to know the reason why I have never 
spoken of Captain Legh to you. I came out to tibds coun- 


MISS harringtom’s husbakd. 


109 


try in order to court forgetfulness of the past. The only 
way to accomplish it was by never discussing the subject, 
else you would have been one of the first to whom I should 
have mentioned it.^^ 

“ I wish to Heaven you had,^^ returned the young man. 
‘‘ You would have saved me a world of trouble. But you 
will not cast me off because of this unfortunate avowal. 
Miss Harrington? You will still let me call myself your 
nearest friend?” 

Georgie looked distressed, but shook her head. 

“ I donT think it would be wise. I am deeply grateful 
for your kindness — I shall miss your visits more than I 
can say; but after what has passed — 

“I understand; you need not go on further he ex- 
claimed. “I have made a mistake, and I must take the 
consequences. I donT suppose that, even if you had been 
free, you would have stooped to consider my offer 

Georgie would not answer him. If she had been free she 
thought that her heart might have been seriously attracted 
toward the handsome young fellow who sat by her side, 
and asked to be allowed to lay everything he possessed at 
her feet. But as matters stood it would have been worse 
than folly to tell him even of a “ might-have-been;” so 
she was obliged to appear indifferent when she was doing 
her best to be merciful. 

“ It is useless to talk of that now,” she answered, gen- 
tly, “so I will not wound your feelings by discussing it; 
only remember that I shall always think of you as a friend, 
and I hope you will consider me in the same light. ” 

“ There is not much use in that,” said Mr. Boch, with 
a sigh. “ You women generally offer us a stone when we 
ask for bread. I would rather you told me to hope for a 
day that may dawn for both of us. ” 

“I can not tell you what is not true,” said Georgie. 
But though she was exceedingly sorry for Mr. Boehms dis- 
appointment, and anxious it should go no further, she was 
obliged to confide it to Mrs. Lousada- Lorens. 

Mr. Hiram Boch, with his handsome face and enormous 
fortune, had been one of the greatest attractions to her 
salons, and could not be allowed to absent himself without 
a reason. 

Georgie told her story as delicately as she could; but she 
received no sympathy from Mrs. Lousada-Lorens. 


110 


MISS HARRIMGTOM^S HUSBAMD. 


And arenH you going to have him?^^ she asked, as soon 
as Georgie had concluded. 

“ My dear friend, how can I have him?^^ 

“ By doing as I did with Mr. Lousada. 

“ But that is not legal in my country. 

“You are not in your country now, my dear; and you 
know the old saying, ‘ Mdien you are in, Borne, do as the 
Eomans do.^ If you married Mr. Boch, I presume your 
home would be in New York ! Why, my dear Miss Har- 
rington, that young man has millions of dollars, and is 
making more every day. He has the power to place you 
in a palace, and gather the best society around you. You 
would be raised at once and forever above any necessity for 
labor, and you would be a little queen in your own circle. 
Now isnH it worth thinking of?^^ 

“ No! no!^^ cried Georgie, shaking her head; “ it is no 
use thinking of it; it can never be!^^ 

“ Ah, I suppose you love that man in England still!^^ 

“ Indeed I do not!^^ said the girl, indignantly. 

“ You must be hankering after him, or you would never 
be so foolish as to throw such a chance as this away. You 
had much better go back to him. I believe you will be 
miserable until you do.^^ 

“ Mrs. Lousada-Lorens, how can you talk to me in such 
a way, when I have told you how he has ill-treated and in- 
sulted me? But I have been brought up to consider mar- 
riage sacred, however unhappy it may be; and it seems 
impossible to me to rupture it on any pretense but one.-’^ 

“ That is the way with Britishers,^’ said Mrs. Lousada- 
Lorens. “ Once put an idea into their heads, and you can’t 
get it out again. What’s the good of your coming to an 
enlightened country like this, and not taking advantage of 
her laws? You are miserable ih England; America offers 
you freedom and happiness, and you refuse them for fear 
England might object. I’ll tell you what you should do, 
then — make yourself a naturalized American, and you’ll 
be subject to her laws.” 

“But not freed from the law of my own conscience,” 
replied Georgie. 

“ My dear Miss Harrington, I’ve no patience with you. 
If you became one of us, and married according to our 
laws, you could not be doing wrong.” 


MISS HARIIII?-GT0N"S HUSBAIO). Ill 

It is a moot question/^ said Georgie, “ and I confess I 
do not understand it. 

“ Then make inquiries on the subject, my dear, until it 
is plain to you. A woman working for her livelihood, and 
such a pretty woman too! Why, it is an anomaly in the 
States. We should be ashamed to see it, and ashamed of 
the woman who did it, too.-’^ 

“ I donT understand that, Mrs. Lousada-Lorens. 

‘‘ Why, it^s like this. Women are made to be worked 
for, and therefore we think the married woman who works 
degrades herself and her husband. She lowers herself by 
taking his place in the world. She lowers him by making 
him accept her bounty. We must eat, wherever the bread 
may come from. But to see a refined, delicate creature 
like you slaving on the public stage is a disgrace to your 
country; and the man who lets you do it should be shot.^^ 

‘‘ I am afraid there would be wholesale slaughter in Eng- 
land if that idea was carried out,^^ said Georgie. 

‘^That^s just what I hear; but I donT see why you 
should add to the list of victims when here^s a fine, hand- 
some fellow ready to take you out of it all; and not only 
you, but your sister. You must remember that. Miss 
Harrington. Why, we think nothing of a divorce in this 
country. There ^s Mrs. Pauline Neumeyer, whom youVe 
met in the best houses of New York. She^s married to 
her fourth husband, and two of the others are still alive. 
What difference does it make to us? You should let Judge 
Sedgeley explain the law to you. YouM see that it can be 
managed so quietly that no one will know it^s taken place. 
Why there^s hardly a soul in this city knows you^’re mar- 
ried. I\e been asked the question dozens of times and I 
always say ‘ no.^ 

Oh, donT deceive them any longer. Let us have no 
more mistakes. This one has hurt me sufficiently!^^ cried 
Georgie, tearfully. 

“ Well, you hold the remedy in your own hands. You 
need not let the poor fellow be miserable one minute longer 
than you choose. Now, will you promise me to think over 
it?" 

‘‘ Oh, yes, ITl think over it,^^ replied Georgie, who felt 
her mind becoming confused and undecided under the 
arguments of Mrs. Lousada-Lorens. 


112 


MISS HARKINGTON^S HUSBAND. 


CHAPTEE XVIL 

THE CONFIDANTE. 

To return to Captain Gerard Legh. « 

When he knew for certain that lus wife had quitted Eng- 
land, he went back to the house in Park Lane in an3rthing 
but an enviable state of mmd. The little place looked 
empty and deserted. The servants had been cleaning up 
after their mistresses departure, and there was an unhome- 
like sense about everything that struck him forcibly. The 
house-maid had already packed up and left the house, and 
the cook had only waited for the captain^s arrival to ask 
him when she should be at liberty to follow suit. 

‘‘ And why do you want to goP^e he inquired irritably. 

The cook looked down and twisted her apron. 

“ Well, you see, sir, Mrs. Legh, she paid us our wages 
before she went, so as we might take our choice; and in 
course it isnT the same thing now the others has gone, nor 
living with a single gentleman isnT what I\e been used to 
— still, I^ve no wish to leave before you^re suited, sir, nor 
to ill-convenience you in any way. 

“ Oh, go by all means cried Captain Legh, impetu- 
ously, as he slammed the door. He had a strong suspicion 
that he knew why the rats deserted the sinking ship. They 
had heard too much, both of his temper and his im- 
pecuniosity; and even if he controlled the first, they had 
grave doubts if they should ever see their w^ges. Captain 
Legh could do with very httle service in his own home if he 
dined at the club every day; but as he sat alone that even- 
ing, smoking a solitary cigar and calculating his resources, 
he was obliged to come to the conclusion that club dinners 
must be struck off the list of his indulgences for the future. 
He had refused the assistance of his wife, and two hundred 
a year would barely cover his actual necessities. At last 
the idea struck him to let the house. The season was past, 
but it was beautifully furnished, and ought to bring in an- 
other couple of hundred a year at least. 

When Captain Legh had got this idea in his head, he 
could not rest till he had discussed it with a friend. 

He tossed off a glass of claret, threw the end of his cigar 


MISS haerii^-gton’s husband. 113 

away, and strolled up Park Lane to call on Mrs. Lacy, 
Marian Lacy^s mother. 

This lady, who was a widow, lived with her daughter in 
a suite of rooms over a shop in Baker Street. She had 
known Gerard Legh before he became acquainted with 
Georgie Harrington, and, in those days, used to speak of 
her brother's child as of one on the road to destruction. 
What her sister-in-law had been thinking of, when she 
allowed her daughter to mingle in so demoralizing an 
atmosphere as that of the stage, she was unable to under- 
stand. But when Georgie not only succeeded in her profes- 
sion, but married a scion of the aristocracy, Mrs. Lacy 
changed her tone. 

Hers was no longer a name that had to be mentioned in 
a whisper, but was dragged in by the head and shoulders 
to every conversation. 

My niece, the Honorable Mrs. Legh!" was constantly 
on the lips of Mrs. Lacy. Marian was as much in Georgie 's 
house as in her own, and both mother and daughter bene- 
fited largely by the young actress's liberality and patron- 
age. 

Mrs. Lacy had even urged Georgie to take her cousin to 
America. 

‘‘ Let our dear Marian accompany you," she said, ‘‘ in 
any capacity you like; only make her useful, and a com- 
fort to you, and I shall be satisfied. I can not bear to think 
of your going across the water alone. " 

But Marian had resisted the proposition; she had no wish 
to leave England in her cousin's train. So the subject 
was dropped between them. 

But though the Lacys had always upheld Georgie in pub- 
lic, and professed to sympathize largely with her in private, 
they had not withdrawn their friendship from Captain 
Legh in consequence. He was the aristocratic link they 
could not aft'ord to ignore. 

Owing to Lord and Lady Kinlock not having noticed 
their daughter-in-law, her relations had not yet derived 
much advantage from the connection; but they had not 
lost hope of doing so, and when Gerard Legh walked into 
their sitting-room on that August evening, they received 
him with an effusive welcome. It was the day after Georgie 
sailed from Liverpool, and Marian had been home since the 
night before. 


114 MISS HAREI]SrGTOiq‘"S HUSBAND. 

This is really kind of you. Captain Legh/^ said Mrs. 
Lacy, with an outstretched hand, ‘ ‘ coming to see us on 
this sad- occasion, as if we were trusted friends. I suppose 
you know that my dear Marian saw Georgie off yesterday 
afternoon 

“ Did she go down to Liverpool with her?^^ demanded 
Captain Legh. 

Yes! my niece wished it, and I thought it would look 
better if she had some of her own family with her to the 
last. Not as if she were going so entirely against our 
wishes, you know; and Marian did not leave her till the 
steamer started. 

‘‘ Indeed replied Captain Legh, stretching himself 
languidly in his chair; “I hope she went off in good 
spirits.'’^ 

‘‘ Oh, excellent!’^ cried Marian, and then she stopped 
suddenly and looked at her mother, as if she had made a 
mistake. 

“ Go on, my dear,^^ said Mrs. Lacy, complacently. ‘‘ I 
suppose there^s nothing to conceal, and it^’s just as well 
that Captain Legh should know the truth. ” 

“ Certainly,” acquiesced Gerard, lazily; ‘‘I never sup- 
posed she would cry at leaving me.^^ 

She kept up wonderfully,^^ continued Marian; “ I was 
completely surprised; I didnH think Georgie had so much 
courage.” 

“You credited her, perhaps, with more heart. ” 

“ Oh, no. Captain Legh! you mustn't say that, but she 
really was brave. They had a big dinner at the hotel the 
night before, and she laughed and talked, with everybody 
as if she hadn't a care in the world. The only time she 
showed any signs of breaking down was just at the last, 
when she had to say good-bye to her friends. '' 

“ I suppose she had any number of friends to see her 
off?'' 

“ Oh, yes, a great many; but Georgie didn't mind parting 
from any of them much — except me, of course, and Mr. 
Brabazon Chauncey." 

“ Oh, Mr. Brabazon Chauncey was there, was he?” said 
Gerard, waking up. 

“ Why, of course he was. Do you think it likely that he 
would -let Georgie leave England without a last good-bye, 
when he is the oldest friend she has in the world?” 


MISS haeiiingtom''s husbaot. 


115 


“ I know he is a very old friend/^ replied Captain Legh, 
dryly. 

“ Poor Georgie couldn’t be comforted at all, when it 
came to our leaving her, until he had promised to go over 
to New York if she didn’t return at the settled time.” 

“ My belief is that she doesn’t intend to return at all,” 
said Gerard. 

“ Is it?” said Marian; but she never contradicted his 
assertion. 

“ And what do you intend to do. Captain Legh?” com- 
menced Mrs. Lacy. “ Marian and I are so anxious for 
your comfort that we should like to know!” 

“ I should like to know myself,” he responded; ‘‘ but I 
am, quite uncertain — in fact, I came up here this evening 
to ask your advice. You see my wife has taken all her 
money with her. ” 

‘‘Oh, dear! oh, dear!” interpolated Mrs. Lacy, sym- 
pathetically. 

“ And my income is not sufficient to keep up the house 
properly. I could not dine by myself on a mutton-chop 
either evening after evening. I’ve been accustomed to com- 
pany, and perfect solitude would madden me. I should go 
down to my own people at Summer hayes, but unfortunate- 
ly my marriage with Georgie has estranged me from them 
all. I was thinking, therefore, of letting the house. What 
do you say to the idea?” 

“ A very good one, as far as the house is concerned. 
Captain Legh; but what about yourself?” said Mrs. Lacy. 
“ A life in chambers or apartments will not be much more 
lively for you. What you want is society at home.” 

“ But I can’t get it,” said Gerard. “ My wife has de- 
serted me, and left me to shift for myself. I shall have to 
live en gar^on for the future. ” 

“ I have a little plan in my head,” returned Mrs. Lacy, 
“ though I don’t know if it will come to anything. What 
should you say to Marian and I taking your house off your 
hands?” 

Marian grew crimson, and looked at her mother with a 
startled gaze. 

“ Oh, mamma!” she exclaimed, and there stopped. 

“ I don’t quite understand,” said Captain Legh. “ What 
would you do with your own?” 

“We are going to leave these rooms at the end of a fort- 


116 


MISS HAEEIMGTON^S HUSBAIO). 


night. The landlord wants to raise the roof of the house; 
and I could not stand the noise and dirt of the workmen. 
So I am thinking, if you would like us to occupy yours— 
for a time, at least — and then you need not turn out of it. 
What I pay here for rent will be sufficient to cover the ex- 
penses of your board and an extra servant; and for the 
rest, Marian and I will manage for ourselves. By this 
means you will have what I hope will be a comfortable 
home to come to, and your income at your own disposal. 

“Mamma, it is the loveliest proposal in the world 
cried Marian, excitedly. 

“ Let us hear what Captain Legh says to it, my dear. 

“ I second Marianas decision, Mrs. Lacy; and I am very 
much obliged to you for thinking of it. It will take all 
domestic trouble off my hands, and it will give me, as you 
say, a home. I\e had little enough of one lately. Heaven 
knows. 

“ Poor fellow!'^ said Marian, softly. 

“ But I am no longer to be compassionated,^^ replied 
Gerard, more brightly. “ I shall grow fat and lazy most 
probably under Mrs. Lacy’s kind care; and you’ll be try- 
ing all sorts of devices to get me out of the house.” 

“ You need not be afraid of that,” said the girl. “ Al- 
though I am Georgie’s first cousin, I don’t think any one 
ever detected any great resemblance between us. ” 

“ Resemble your cousin Georgie, my love!” cried her 
mother, indignantly. “ I should think not! She is very 
handsome, doubtless — she takes after my poor brother in 
that — but she has my sister-in-law’s disposition, which was 
a very unfortunate one; and I should be sorry to think a 
child of mine could behave as she has done. Marriage is a 
sacred obligation. Captain Legh; and when Marian enters 
into that state, I sincerely trust she may fulfill its duties 
better than her poor cousin has done!” 

“ Don’t talk like that, mamma!” exclaimed Marian. 
“ I shall never marry. 1 have told you so scores of times.” 

“ I advise you strongly not,” said Gerard Legh, as he 
rose to leave, “ unless you can make a better thing of it 
than I have. I suppose I may consider our bargain settled, 
Mrs. Lacy, and expect you to take up your quarters with 
me as soon as you leave these rooms?” 

“We will certainly do so. Captain Legh; and I trust the 
arrangement will prove a satisfactoiy one to both parties.” 


MISS HARRIHGTOIir’S HUSBAIJD. 


117 


In consequence of this agreement the Lacys moved into 
the little house in Park Lane the following week, and laid 
themselves out to make Captain Legh comfortable and 
happy. To the mother it was an infinite advantage to ex- 
change two rooms for the pleasant abode which poor 
Georgie had just vacated. She was put to no extra expense, 
and she received double for her money. 

And to Marian the new arrangement was more agreea- 
ble than she would have liked to confess even to her moth- 
er. The least benefit she expected to gain from it was an 
introduction to some of Captain Legh^s aristocratic friends. 
Now that Georgie was out of the way, she thought the idea 
was feasible. So from the moment she and her mother 
took possession of his house she laid herself out to be 
agreeable to him. It was Marian who was always present 
to make his breakfast, at whatever hour it might be served, 
and who sat up to receive him when he came home at 
night, in case he needed any refreshment before he went to 
bed. 

These midnight interviews lapsed before long into confi- 
dential conversations, that were frequently carried on into 
the small hours of the. morning — conversations chiefly of 
Georgie, and her conduct in the past — with conjectures of 
what she was doing in the present, and likely to do in the 
future; for Captain Legh was suffering acutely, although 
he would have died sooner than acknowledge it. 

His bodily comforts were attended to, but his home was 
nothing to him, compared to what it had been in the palmy 
days, when Georgie^s sweet smile, and sweeter kiss, had 
welcomed him over the threshold; and he knew that his 
punishment was not undeserved. Deep in his heart lay 
the conviction that his morbid jealousy and evil tempers 
had been quite uncalled for, and that if he had behaved 
only decently to her, she would have continued cheerfully 
to fulfill all the duties of a wife to him. 

But the same pride which had prevented his acknowledg- 
ing it then prevented his acknowledging it now; and when 
he mentioned her, it was only to condemn her conduct and 
excuse his own. 

Marian took care to foster the illusion; she was always 
ready to recall the worst points in Georgie^s character, and 
to ignore the good ones. 

She would talk by the hour of her high temper, and sug- 


118 


MISS HAREIKGTON^S HTJSBATO. 


gest that the large sums of- money she made had inflated 
her vanity to such a degree that she expected her private 
friends to bow down before her as the public did. And 
whilst she professed to exonerate her cousin from the charge 
of flirting, she brought forward evidences that tended so 
much in the other direction, and Captain Legh would 
leave her side, secretly torn to pieces with jealousy, and 
vowing vengeance on his unseen and unknown rivals. 

Marian Lacy took the course, in fact, that most of our 
female friends do the minute our backs are turned upon 
them. 

She had no malice prepense in the matter; she was not 
a villain of a first-class dye; she was scheming at no deep 
plot for the destruction of Georgie^’s future happiness, or 
the elevation of her own; she was simply talking too much, 
giving out her ideas as they came into her mind, . without 
reasoning if they were correct. And her ideas, like those 
of many of her sex, wavered with the person she spoke to. 

There was a fascination about Georgie Harrington that 
forced her to sympathize with her personal grievances. But 
she liked and admired Gerard Legh; she had done so from 
the day they met, and she was very pleased to be selected 
as his confidante. 


CHAPTEE XVIII. 

THE LETTEKS. 

Wheh the Lacys had been established for some months 
in Captain Legh^s house. Lady Henry Masham called upon 
them. The announcement that she was in the drawing- 
room gave Marian Lacy unqualified pleasure; she had met 
Lady Henry occasionally, whilst spending the afternoon 
with her cousin, but she had never d}een admitted to Hat- 
leigh House. 

She believed now that her desire in this respect would be 
gratified, and that her ladyship^s visit must be followed by 
an invitation. She ran down-stairs, therefore, in the 
greatest flutter to receive her; but her hopes were some- 
what damped by the opening words of her guest: 

“ I called to learn the address of Captain Legh, Miss 
Lacy, and was quite astonished when the servant said you 
were in. How long have you taken up your abode liere?^^ 


MI6S HARKIN-GTON's HUSBAKD. 


119 


“ Mamma came to keep house for Gerard as soon as my 
cousin Georgie quitted England, and of course I accom- 
panied lier/^ replied Marian. 

Oh! a prearrangement with Miss Harrington, I sup- 
pose 

“ Yes,^^ said Marian, unhesitatingly; “ wecouldn^t have 
left him quite alone, could we?^-’ 

“ I don^t know, I^m sure,^^ sniffed her ladyship; Cap- 
tain Legh has looked after himself pretty well during his 
life, I fancy; and I should have thought that a married 
man, who had got a holiday, would prefer to spend it in a 
freer fashion than having to dance attendance on two ladies 
who have no claim upon him. 

Oh, of course we leave Cousin Gerard entirely free to 
follow his own devices!’-’ exclaimed Marian, “ but he pre- 
fers having his meals at home, and mamma can look after 
his comforts better than the servants.” 

“And where is a letter to reach Captain Legh, Miss 
Lacy?” 

“ His letters all come here, or to the club in Poynders 
Street; but if you like to leave a message for him, Lady 
Hen^, I shall have great pleasure in delivering it.” 

“ Thanks! I won’t trouble you!” said her ladyship, 
curtly. 

She seemed to have conceived a dislike to Marian. 

“ And when did you have news of Miss Harrington?” she 
asked, after a pause. 

“ I have had several letters from her — the last, two days 
ago. She has made a great success in New York, and has 
heaps of friends. Her head seems quite turned by the fuss 
they make about her. A few weeks ago, when she played 
in Brooklyn, the gentlemen erected an arch of roses for her 
to pass under as she went in and out of the theater. ” 

“Ah! I never thought any good would come of her go- 
ing to America,” said Lady Henry, shaking her head, 
“ and without her husband too. Why on earth didn’t she 
take him with her? All London is saying that she has run 
away from him. It is very scandalous! I shall consider it 
quite a duty to give Captain Legh the support of my coun- 
tenance during her absence; the poor young man is to be 
pitied rather than condemned; that’s what I say to any one 
who asks me about the matter. ” 


120 


MISS HAREIMGTON^S HUSBAND. 


Marian Lacy looked round to see if the door was fast 
closed, and then drew nearer to her guest mysteriously. 

“ Ah! Lady Henry, you are perfectly right! I can not 
help saying so, although Georgie is my cousin, and mamma 
would back me up directly, if she were here. It is a terri- 
ble distress to us; but we do not believe that she will ever 
return to England !^^ 

‘‘ I should not be surprised. These actresses— you^ll for- 
give my speaking openly. Miss Lacy — are very flighty, as a 
rule, and have little sense of the meaning of the word Duty. 
Miss Harrington has been rather remiss in that particular 
alerady, from what I hear.^^ 

“Oh! it was too dreadful !^^ cried Marian, clasping her 
hands; “ the quarreling, and abuse, and violence that used 
to go on between them, and I am sure it was all Georgie^’s 
fault; she might have prevented so much of it had she 
chosen; but she aggravated poor Captain Legh till he did 
not know what he was about, and taunted him with his 
poverty till he was nearly mad. We always pitied him 
greatly, mamma and I, but we had no influence with 
Georgie, and it was not our business to speak. 

“ Naturally! It is no use putting your finger between 
the fire and the wood. I suppose it will end in the usual 
way — divorce! And what are Captain Legh^s plans for the 

“ I donT think he has made any,^^ replied Marian; “ he 
seems very contented as he is. 

“ But it must be very stupid for him living alone with 
you and your mother, said Lady Henry, with more truth 
than politeness. “He is a man who has been used to 
society, mid though London is very dull at present, we 
must see' what we can do for him. This is a time when the 
members of his own class must rally round him to show 
their sympathy. For my own part, although I admire Miss 
Harrington on the stage, I have always considered he was 
thrown away upon her. All the Kinlocks are warm-hearted 
and warm-tempered people, and I^m afraid your cousin is 
just a little bit cold.^^ 

“Oh, she is . dreadfully cold. Lady Henry. She is 
wrapped up in her art, and thinks of nothing outside it. I 
donT believe she would make any man happy. 

“ She evidently has not made Captain Legh so; and in 
New York she will be surrounded by temptations. I 


MISS HAKRIKGTOK^S HUSBAND. 


121 


shouldn't be surprised to bear any day that she had married 
somebody else. They do the most extraordinary things out 
there I believe. 

“ It will be a happy release for him if she does," sighed 
Marian. 

Lady Henry glanced at her suspiciously. 

“ Well, I hope if he ever finds himself free that he wonT 
make a fool of himself for the second time. Miss Lacy. I 
should think an experience like this was enough for a man^s 
life-time; but I can hardly conceive it likely. If anything 
occurs to separate them, I shall make it my aim to bring 
him and his people together again. Captain Legh ought 
to be living amongst the aristocracy. It is always a mis- 
take when a man drops out of his own sphere. He doesn^t 
know what he may encounter, and generally finds himself 
unable to cope with his surroundings. 

Marian Lacy (with the hope of an invitation to Hatleigh 
House) did not dare take any notice of the rudeness of 
these remarks, but tried to change the conversation by ask- 
ing Lady Henry if she would take any tea. 

“ Oh, dear, no — certainly not,^^ rejoined her ladyship, as 
if to eat or drink in the house under present circumstances 
were altogether beneath her. I could not wait indeed. I 
have to go on to the Duchess of Oarnavon^s, and only 
stopped on my way to ask for Captain Legh^s address. The 
club in Poynders Street, you say? Thank you very much. 
Good-afternoon. 

“Or here,” interposed Marian; “the letter would be 
safer sent here, and certain to reach him sooner. 

“Just so. I will remember,^ ^ replied Lady Henry, 
whose feminine intuition made her doubt if any letters 
would reach Captain Legh^s hands that Miss Lacy desired 
to keep out of them. “ And do you mean to say that he 
has not heard from his wife?'^ 

“ Not a line. Lady Henry — not a single line. IsnT it 
cruel ?^^ 

“It is shameful! I really couldnT have believed it of 
Miss Harrington, although (as I have said) I never had any 
great opinion of her oft* the stage. Good-bye, Miss Lacy. 
Pray donT trouble yourself to come down-stairs. Remem- 
ber me kindly to Captain Legh.^^ 

And Lady Henry Masham drove off in her carriage with- 
out dropping a single hint about Hatleigh. 


122 


MISS HAEEIKGTOK^S HUSBAKD. 


‘‘The old cat/’ thought Marian Lacj^ as she ^vatched 
her departure from the window, “talking about Gerard 
‘ dropping out of his own sphere. ’ That was a hint to me, 
I suppose, not to imagine her visit was paid to us; 'but ITl 
be even with her. If she asks Gerard to Hatleigh without 
mamma or me he sha’n’t go. I believe she would like to 
get up a flirtation with him now Georgie is away. As if he 
would look at an old thing of forty, with false hair, and 
teeth, and rouge laid on so thick you might dig it off her 
face with a spade — What is it, Ellen. she continued 
aloud, as a servant entered the room. 

“ Letters, miss, for you and the captain.” 

“ Give them to me,” said Marian, stretching out her 
hand. The first letter she examined was her own. It came 
from New York, and had been written by Louise Fletcher 
at the time of her estrangement from Georgie Harrington. 
Marian read it through with eyes that sparkled with delight. 
The very thing she wished most in all the world seemed 
likely to come to pass. She perused the letter two or three 
times, and at each perusal .her cheeks flushed deeper, and 
her satisfaction seemed more complete, until she thrust it 
in her pocket in a fever of anticipation; but her blood 
cooled considerably as she glanced at the superscription on 
the other epistle. She recognized the scrawling, illiterate 
writing at once. She had seen it on notes to Georgie before 
— on scraps of paper sent into the dressing-room at the 
theater or left at the door instead of a message. It was 
that of Miss Sylvia Marchmont. 

“ Sylvia Marchmont said Marian to herself. “ What 
business can she have to write to Gerard? It is disgraceful 
of her attacking a married man in this way directly his 
wife’s back is turned. I shall not give this letter to. Gerard; 
if it is any tiling serious she can write again ; and if it is any 
of her nonsense, it is far better, both for him and herself, 
that it should be destroyed.” 

But she did not destroy it. 

It was December by this time, and the fire was burning 
brightly in the grate, and would have consumed the letter 
in no time; but Marian turned it round and round in her 
hands instead, until, with a sudden impulse, she opened 
and read it. As she did so her eyes flashed indignantly, 
and she stamped her foot upon the ground. 


MISS, haerihgton’s husband. 123 

“ My dear old Gerard (it began), — Why didn^t 
you come behind on Friday? I was waiting for you all the 
evening. Now mind, I shall be in the park, at the usual 
place, at twelve o^clock, on Tuesday, and you must come 
and let me know all about the Crystal Palace. The ‘ bos^s ^ 
made such a fuss about your kissing me last week. One 
would think it was a mortal sin. Good-bye till Tuesday, 
you dear old darling. I have mislaid your frieud^s address, 
so send this to your own house. DonT show it to Miss 
Marian. 

Ever your affectionate 

Sylyia.^^ 

‘‘ Little minx!^^ exclaimed Miss Lacy, as she finished the 
latter. “ Fancy her impudence in calling Gerard by his 
Christian name, and making appointments with him! I^d 
send this note on to her father, only heM make a fuss about 
it to Gerard, and I should have to bear the blame. But he 
sha^nT have it, all the same. Miss Sylvia may air her 
heels in the park on Tuesday until she is tired of the game. 
It will serve her right. I declare these women all come 
like harpies round a man directly he is left without protec- 
tion; but they forget that I am here to circumvent them. 
So there goes Miss Sylvia •’s elegant epistle into the fire. ” 

It was scarcely consumed to ashes before Gerard himself 
entered the room, looking worried and anxious. 

‘‘You are home very early, said Marian, starting. 

“ Yes. I met an old friend, who has been jawing me to 
death. Let me have a cup of tea, Marian; my head aches 
with his incessant chatter. 

She busied herself to get what he desired : and it was not 
until she had ministered to his bodily comforts that she 
ventured to ask him: 

“And who was the friend who bothered you so, 
Gerard?^^ 

“ General Kimberley. He^s an old chum of my father ^s, 
and thinks he has a right to lecture me; and by Jove he 
went a little too far to-day! He has been talking to me 
about Georgie, you know. He declares it is all my fault 
that she went out to America, and that I ought to have in- 
sisted on accompanying her there. 

“ What nonsense; when you had not the money. 

“Just what I told the old gentleman, and he said I 


124 


MISS hakrington’s husband. 


should have raised it. In fact, he was so earnest on the 
subject that he offered to lend me the necessary funds to 
join her. ” 

Marian Lacy grew suddenly pale. 

“ He evidently knows notliing of the life you led whilst 
together, or he would not advise your trying it over again, 
she said, with trembling lips. 

“ Indeed he does! I gave him a most graphic descrip- 
tion of it, but he said it had nothing to do with the mat- 
ter. He thinks that, away from England and her old in- 
fluences, things may go better with us; and that, under 
any circumstances, it is my duty to give Georgie the pro- 
tection of my presence. He says that if she goes wrong, or 
anything of that sort, the blame will justly be laid at my 
door. " 

“No wonder he gave you a headache, replied Marian. 
“ And what did you answer to all this rubbish 

“ I hardly knew what to answer. The old man talked 
so fast he hardly gave me time to put in a word. But 
things are getting very unpleasant for me at the club, 
Marian; the fellows are always asking me after my wife, 
and wondering why I am not with her, and it makes me feel 
stupid. It is impossible to explain one^s family matters to 
all the world. She ha^ placed me in a most awkward posi- 
tion. 

“ What is the use of thinking of it, since it can not be 
remedied demanded Marian. 

“ Well, Yyo been considering whether it wouldnH be as 
well for me to go out to New York and show myself, if it^s 
only for a few weeks, and perhaps Georgie and I might 
come to some arrangement together. I do not suppose we 
can go on living apart like this forever. AYe had better 
hang ourselves at once and have done with it. 

“ I am amazed beyond measure to hear you talk like 
this!^^ said Marian. “ I thought the matter was settled be- 
fore my cousin started. I remember she told me distinctly 
at Liverpool that she should never live with you again. 
And her conduct since your separation has borne out her 
words. Has she ever written to you, or even inquired 
after you? If so, it has never reached my ears.'^ 

“ I know she has not,^^ returned Captain Legh; “ but 
she was doubtless very much offended by my last letter, 
and chooses this way of showing her resentment. Georgie 


MISS HARRINGTON’S HUSBAND. 


125 


is very high-tempered you know, Marian, and does not 
easily forgive an injury. And I was wrong — I acknowl- 
edge it — ^to write to her as I did.” 

I really don’t see you have any cause to blame your- 
self,^’ said Marian. “ She made your life a purgatory to 
you for three years.” 

“Not for three. We were happy enough till the last 
twelvemonth,” interposed her companion. 

“ Oh, for one then,” retorted Marian, testily. “ It was 
long enough, any way, to destroy all signs of mutual affec- 
tion between you, and to make you fight like cat and dog. 
And I really don’t see why you need accuse yourself of 
causing the result. It was she that left you. She chose 
to make her own arrangements without any reference to 
yours, and she did it solely to get rid of you. How do you 
suppose she would like it if you suddenly took it into your 
head to follow her to New York? You may be quite sure 
you’re not wanted there, and can hardly expect to receive 
a welcome.” 

Captain Legh hung his head despondently. 

“ I suppose not. I am not sure that I deserve one. But 
if I went after her, Georgie would at least see that I was 
ready to make it up. For this kind of life doesn’t suit me, 
Marian, and that’s the fact. I am neither married nor 
single, and I must make a change somewhere before long.” 

To hear that his mode of life was wearying him was gall 
and wormwood to Marian Lacy, but she swallowed her dis- 
appointment as she replied: 

Perhaps the change may come to you without your 
seeking it, if you will have a little patience, Gerard.” 

“ I don’t understand your meaning.” 

“ This letter from Louise Fletcher may make it plainer 
to you,” she said, as she drew it from her pocket. 

“ Has that old hag been writing to you? How do the 
Yankees like her wig and her natural complexion?” 

“ There was a great deal to ridicule in Mrs. Fletcher per- 
sonally, but she was always a good friend to your wife,” 
said Marian. “ And she does not seem to have been re- 
. gratitude than some other of Georgie’s 



Have they quarreled at last then?” inquired Captain 


I will read you Mrs. Fletcher’s letter, and you will be 


126 MISS HAEKIKGTOK^S HUSBAND. 

able to judge for yourself. I will skip the commencement, 
which is only descriptive of her rooms. 

‘‘Yes, yes, spare me the twaddle and come to the main 
point cried Gerard Legh, impatiently. 

“ Well, here it is,'’^ resumed Marian, after a pause. 

“ ‘ I am sure you will be grieved to hear, dear Miss Lacy, 
that Georgie and I have had a sad misunderstanding, which 
has resulted in my settling myself in separate rooms. The 
cause of our separation was at first a complete mystery to 
me; but Georgie found fault with my receiving any friends, 
which of course was absurd for two ladies living together, 
and especially when our rooms were crowded with her own ! 
And at last she was so rude to one of my acquaintances and 
myself that I was compelled to find another set of rooms. 
Afterward the mystery came out. There was one friend, 
it seems, of hers, of whom she did not wish me to see too 
much — a Mr. Hiram Boch — who visits her constantly. He 
is young, and handsome, and a millionaire. He almost 
lives at the house of a Mrs. Lousada-Lorens — a very fiighty 
person — and now Georgie has taken up her residence alto- 
gether with Mrs. Lorens, so I suppose she sees him every 
day. Indeed I have heard it said that Mrs. Lorens de- 
clares that Georgie is about to bring a suit for divorce 
against Captain Legh for non-support, and marry Mr. 
Boch. Such things can be done in this country, you know, 
and are done every day. I really think it loohs lihe it; 
but I have seen very little of Georgie lately, and when we 
meet she tells me nothing, 

Marian glanced up as she finished reading, and was 
shocked to see Captain Legh^s face, which had turned livid 
with passion. 

‘ ‘ I thought there was some plot brewing, ” he exclaimed, 
vehemently, “ when she made this sudden determination to 
go to America! Divorce me! Nonsense! How can she 
divorce me, when IVe done nothing to deserve it?^^ 

“ You hear what Mrs. Fletcher says — that she is going to 
sue you on the plea of non-support. And as far as that 
goes, you know, you never have supported her!’’^ 

“ But that will be of no use in England !^^ 

“ Perhaps Georgie will not care for returning to England. 
Perhaps she intends to live the rest of her life in America, 
said Marian, calmly. 


MISS HARRIHGTOK^S HUSBAND. 127 

Captain Legh began to fume; but sbe stopped bim. 

“ Wbat is tbe use of being so violent, Gerard? If you 
tbink you can prevent this business, you bad better go out 
to New York and see about it. But I confess I should con- 
sider it beneath your dignity. 

“ Go out to Neio York I’’ he reiterated. “ Not I! No, 
this news has decided me. If she has so little respect for 
herself and for me as to adopt an illegal method to dissolve 
our marriage, she may go her own way from this moment! 
I shall never trouble her again by word or sign. We will 
be separated (as she herself expressed it), forever!” And 
Captain Legh, passing suddenly from the apartment, 
slammed the door behind him, and sought refuge in his 
own room. 


CHAPTER XIX. 

A TRUE FRIEND. 

As soon as Mrs. Eletcher had made up her quarrel with 
Georgie Harrington, she began to pour out all her troubles 
into her friendly bosom again. 

She seemed to forget — after the manner of women — the 
cause of the difference between them, and talked as freely 
of Charlie Randall as if she were at liberty to enjoy his 
doubtful friendship. 

At such times Georgie invariably tried to change the sub- 
ject. It was painful to her to listen to an old woman 
maundering about a boy ^s adoration. She would never an- 
swer Louise so much as by a word when she appi'oached 
this topic, and Mrs. Fletcher could not fail to see that it 
was a distasteful one to her. 

But one day she invaded Miss Harrington^s apartments 
in evident distress, and had scarcely entered them before 
she burst into tears. 

‘‘ My dear Louise,^^ exclaimed Georgie, softened by the 
sight, “ is anything the matter? Is Mr. Fletcher ill ?^^ 

“*Oh, no! no! he is well enough, I believe. It is quite a 
different thing. I am ruined, Georgie!'’^ 

‘‘ Ruined I What can you meanr ^ 

My money, dear. You know I only brought out a cer- 
tain sum to last me for six months or so — iPs so much 
trouble getting it backward and forward — and Dickey de- 


128 


MISS haekimgton's husband. 


pends on me in case of any extra expenses. And I have 
been so foolish and thoughtless^, hut then — 

‘‘ My dear Louise, I wish youM try and speak coherently. 
I don^t in the least know what you are crying about. Was 
your money in a bank? Has it failed? How have you lost 
it?^^ 

All through that boy, dear — that Charlie Kandall!^^ 

“ Ugh!^^ ejaculated Georgie, with an expression of dis- 
gust, as she turned away. 

“ Now, donH be angry, Georgie dear, for I^m in real 
trouble. Do let me tell you all about it, and give me your 
advice what to do!^^ 

At this appeal Miss Harrington conquered her aversion 
to the subject of Mr. Kandall, and settled herself down to 
listen. 

“ I think you have heard, Georgie, that my private in- 
come is eight hundred a year. I canH anticipate it, you 
know, because it's in consols, but I get the dividend half- 
yearly. Well, last October my trustees lodged four hundred 
^ pounds for me in the Madison Square Bank, and Dickey 
thought it would be ample for me to live on until April. 
And so it would have been, except for Charlie Kandall." 

“ What on earth has Mr. Randall to do with it?" in- 
quired Georgie. 

“ Well, dear, you know he's not rich, and he has debts, 
and he began by asking me for a small loan to meet a bill 
with, and I lent it him, foolishly thinking, of course, that 
he would return it. And so it went on, until he persuaded 
me to let him have a couple of hundred pounds; he declared 
it was only for a week, and that he should have double the 
sum by that time. But he failed or something — at least, 
the speculation did, in which he was concerned, and so it is 
all gone, and I haven't enough to go on with, and Dickey 
will want to have an explanation of it when he comes back, 
and I don't know what on earth to do!" concluded Mrs. 
Fletcher, with another burst of tears, that washed her 
painted face like a spring shower. 

“ I hope the circumstance has made you see Mr. Ran- 
dall's attentions to you in their true light," said Georgie, 
gravely. “You are vain, Louise, but this ought really to 
open your eyes. You imagined this young man was simply 
dying of love for you, whereas he has only had an eye to 


MISS HARRIN-GTOK^S HUSBAKI). 120 

borrowing your money. Didn^t you suspect Ms, motives 
when he first asked you to lend it him?^^ 

“ No! How should I? The poor boy was hard up, and 
came to me as a friend. It would have seemed very un- 
kind of me to refuse. 

“If he had come to you as a friend, as he might have 
gone to his mother — for you are quite old enough to be his 
mother, Louise — I should not have thought so badly of 
him; but he professed to be in love with you, and worked 
on your vanity in order to get hold of your money. I al- 
ways thought him a fool, but now I see he is more of a 
knave. What are you going to do about it?^^ 

“ I donT know what to do! I am at my wits^ end!^^ 

“ Is there no chance of recovery 

“Not the slightest! He has lost it on Wall Street !^'^ 

“ And do you still intend to receive him as a friend 
“ I have not thought about it. Why do you worry me 
with such questions, Georgie, when I am beside myself with 
the difficulty of the position I am placed in?^^ 

“ Because I want to help you, Louise, but it must be on 
my own conditions. You know I never liked young Kan- 
dall, and thought the intimacy a dangerous one for you. 
Will you give it up?^^ 

“ What good will that do? I have no more money to 
lend him. The question is, how am I to pay my weekly 
bills till April 

“ I will lend you the money cheerfully, dear Louise, re- 
plied Georgie, as she walked to her writing-table; “ how 
much do you require? Will two hundred be enough?"^ 

“ Georgie, you are not going to lend me two hundred 
pounds?^"’ 

“ Why should I not? You know that I am coining more 
money in this country than I can spend. I will give it you 
willingly if it will save you from any unpleasantness with 
Mr. Fletcher. 

Mrs. Fletcher grew red beneath her veil. The letter to 
Marian Lacy, which contained those cruel insinuations 
against Georgie, had crossed the ocean two weeks before; 
it was gone beyond recall, but she had the grace left to feel 
ashamed of it. 

She stammered so much in reply that Miss Harrington 
thought she felt some reluctance in accepting her offer. 

Come, Louise, don't be silly. This is a little private 
& 


130 


MISS HARRIl^GTOM^S HUSBAND. 


matter between ourselves, and need never go any further. 
Here is the check,’ ^ said Georgie, placing it in her hand; 
“ I have made it payable to you, so all you have to do is to 
send it to your banker’s, and never mention the subject 
again between us. Only you will promise me to give up 
the acquaintance of Mr. Randall?” 

“ Oh, yes, indeed,” whimpered Louise, as she kissed her 
friend; “ I’m sure I never wish to see him any more, since 
he has deceived me so cruelly. And I don’t know what I 
should have done without your assistance, Georgie, for 
Dickey is very particular, you know, and always looks at 
my accounts, and he would never have forgiven me if he 
had found it out!” 

“ He would have had every rea,son to be angry,” replied 
Georgie; but mind you never give him anything worse to 
find out, Louise. Living alone as you do, you can not be 
too careful whom you receive. But I hope your troubles 
in that way are over.” 

Mrs. Metcher pocketed the check and went her way; and 
Georgie, hearing no further news of Mr. Randall, concluded 
that she had kept her promise, and given up so dangerous 
an acquaintance. What was her astonishment, therefore, 
when, a month later, she found ' Richard Fletcher, newly 
returned from his Western tour, pacing up and down^her 
sitting-room fioor in a state of the greatest agitation! 

Miss Harrington,” he began, as soon as she entered 
the apartment, “ you must excuse my having asked to see 
you at this early hour; but I have to return to Boston by 
the evening train.” 

“ This is a surprise!” said Georgie, as she gave him her 
hand. “ By the last accounts I had from Louise vou were 
in Buffalo.” 

‘ ‘ No, no, ” replied Mr. Fletcher, who appeared very 
nervous. “We traveled from there last week, and open 
at Boston to-morrow evening. But I heard news whilst on 
tour that distressed me very much. Miss Harrington, and I 
have come to New York on that account.” 

“ Indeed! I am very sorry it should be so! May I ask 
the cause of it?” said Georgie, who had almost forgotten 
the little episode with Louise. 

“ Certainly. My wife is the cause of it. Miss Harring- 
ton, you lived in the same rooms with her at the Excelsior 
Hotel. Did you know a man of the name of Randall?” 


MISS harei^-gton's husband. 131 

Georgie was on her guard at once. She felt that a word 
of hers might make or mar the future happiness of Louise. 
She would not have told a falsehood for all the world; but 
at the same time, no woman who ever called her friend 
had had reason to reproach her with treachery or even 
weakness in her cause. As Mr. Fletcher^s excited question 
fell on her ear, therefore, she . drew herself up, and an- 
swered, calmly: 

Certainly; Mr. Randall used to visit me occasionally at 
the Excelsior. 

“ Oh, Miss Harrington, how I wish you had never admit- 
ted him! You don^’fc know the harm that has accrued from 
it to my poor foolish wife. Everybody is talking about it. 
What her interest is in this young man I have not yet found 
out; but I hear that she has lent him large sums of money 
for gambling purposes, and that he has half ruined her.-’^ 

Georgie smiled quietly. 

Louise does not look much like a ruined woman tome. 
But what does she say to your charge, Mr. Eletcher?^^ 

I have not seen her yet. I have come straight to you. 
I want to hear all you can tell me about this business be- 
fore I meet my wife; for I can not depend on her word. 
Miss Harrington, and I am determined to know the truth 
of it!^^ 

“ I don^t know what I have ever done, Mr. Eletcher, to 
make you think I would stoop to become a tale-bearer!’^ 
replied Georgie, proudly. “ You seem to forget that 
Louise is my friend; and you will never hear one word 
against her from my lips. ” 

I know you are stanch and true; but surely you will 
not refuse to help me in this dilemma? How am I to hear 
the truth if no one will tell me?” 

What is it you wish to hear?” 

‘‘ For one thing, why did you part company with Louise? 
I thought you had agreed to live together?” 

“ So we did for some months. But I am staying here as 
the guest of Mrs. Lousada- Lorens. You could hardly ex- 
pect her to invite my friends with myself.” 

That is true; but when Louise engaged rooms for her- 
self, I understand this man Randall was in them every 
evening — that, in fact, he almost lived there, and all the 
hotel knew it.” 

,1 suppose Louise found him a pleasant companion,” 


132 


MISS HAEKINGTOlf'S HUSBAND. 


replied Georgie, indifferently. “ She is fond of the society 
of young people. 

“ Perhaps so; but she might have entertained others be- 
sides this clerk. I hear of no name but his! And then, her 
giving him all her money. How do you account for that. 
Miss Harrington?'’^ 

“ I don^t see that I am called upon to account for it, Mr. 
Pletcher. You have yet to give me proofs that it is true.^'’ 
“ It must be true! All the city knows it! The fellow 
himself has boasted of it everywhere !^^ 

“ Well, I suppose it will be easy to ascertain the truth. 

“ How? You do not suppose Louise would tell it to me? 
She will be too much ashamed. " 

‘‘ Has she applied to you for money, Mr. Fletcher?^'’ 

“ No, she never does. She has her own income. 

“ But if she has given it all away (as your informants 
declare), how does she live? She has to pay ready money 
in New York. DonT you think she would have been in 
want of funds by this time?^^ 

“ That never struck me!” exclaimed Mr. Fletcher. 
“But she may have borrowed of a friend — ot you/^ \iq 
added, suspiciously. 

“ She has not borrowed of me,^^ replied Georgie, thank- 
ful to remember that she had give7i Louise the check that 
was to help her out of her difficulties. 

“But even then,” continued the husband, “there is 
their excessive intimacy to be accounted for. It is most 
galling to me. Miss Harrington, to think that, whilst I am 
working hard at my profession, my wife is making herself 
the talk and scandal of the city.'’^ 

“ Naturally it must be. But I have heard nothing of it. ” 
“ Do you mean to say that you have never met this man 
Randall in my wife^s rooms at the Excelsior?” 

Never !” replied Georgie, firmly, which, as she had 
not entered Mrs. Fletcher^s rooms after their separation, 
was perfectly true. “ Louise and I had a slight dispute be- 
fore I left the hotel, which was happily made up soon after 
I came here. So she is good enough always to take the 
initiative and visit me without asking for a return, know- 
ing how very busy I am. ” 

“ What was your dispute about?” asked Richard Fletcher^ 
still suspicious. 


MISS HARKIKGTOiq-^S HUSBAND. 133 

Georgie saw she had made an error, but corrected it at 
once. 

“ I originated it, and it concerned me alone,^^ she an- 
swered. 

And you are as good friends as before 

Quite as good. 

‘‘ Well, I can^t understand it,^^ said Mr. Fletcher, with 
a sigh, as he rose from his seat. ‘‘ Thereis no doubt there 
has been a great deal of scandal and talk about it, which 
has driven me wild. Of course I know Louise is not clever, 
but I thought she was past all this sort of thing. But the 
money matter seemed to settle it. It made the rest plain, 
and I came to the city determined to punish the young ras- 
cal if I could, and have it out with my wife. But what you 
say. Miss Harrington, seems to have upset all my ideas on 
the subject. ” 

They were very foolish ideas, Mr. Fletcher, and it is a 
good thing they are upset,"’ replied Georgie, smiling. 

‘But take my ^vice. Go straight to Louise, and ask her 
about her money. If one item of your informant's news is 
false, the whole may be."’"’ 

“ Your words are the very essence of kindness, Miss 
Harrington, and comfort me beyond description. I have 
never professed to be in love with my wife, but I owe a 
great deal to her, and we have got on very comfortably to- 
gether hitherto, and anything like a quarrel between us 
would give me great pain. 

“ There must be no quarrel, replied Georgie, decided- 
ly. “I know Louise has always been very proud and fond 
of you, and will be delighted to welcome you back. Pray 
go to her at once, Mr. Fletcher. I should not like her to 
learn you had been to see me first, or she may suspect we 
have been talking her over. Good-bye. Let me have one 
line from Boston to say it is all right between you.^^ 

And so she quieted the husband^s fears and dismissed him, 
quite willing to take her view of the case, and to listen to 
any excuses Louise might choose to make for her own con- 
duct. And this happened after Marian Lacy had excited 
the worst feelings of doubt and jealousy of his wife in Ger- 
ard Legh^s breast by reading out the letter penned by 
Louise Fletcher’s hand. It is true that when Mrs. Fletcher 
learned what Georgie had done for her, she felt one or two 
twinges of conscience for her own treachery, but she was 


134 MISS HAREIMGTOiq-'’S HUSBAND. 

not brave enough to confess it to the friend she had injured, 
and so the secret harm went on working unseen, like a 
mole in the dark, until it threw up a hillock of difficulty. 


CHAPTER XX. 

THE DIART. 

Georgie Harrington did not see so much of Mr. 
Hiram Boch after the interview which took place between 
them, but she heard that he was in the theater every night, 
and it was impossible to lose sight of his name. 

She could not look at a newspaper without reading some 
account of him or his doings. Now it was that his beauti- 
ful schooner yacht, Dragon-fly, had taken the interna- 
tional prize; then, that his famous Kentucky trotter, 
“ Lightning,^'’ had won the match in Fleetwood Park. 

Mr. Hiram BocKs dress at a fancy ball; Mr. Hiram 
Boehms speech at a citizens^ meeting; Mr. Hiram Boehm's 
donation to a public charity; such subjects were cropping 
up to engage her attention every day. 

The young man, by his wealth and liberality, seemed to 
have become the central planet in New York, round which 
the lesser satellites revolved. 

Miss Harrington had to give up a great deal of pleasure 
in relinquishing his friendship, and she could not help re- 
gretting it. Her delightful rides were over, for she did not 
care to go out with anybody else. She had lost much of 
her interest in Mrs. Lousada-Lorens^’s salons, for no one 
talked to her so charmingly now as Hiram Boch had done; 
in fact, she was passing through that phase of feeling which 
every woman, who has relinquished a pleasure because she 
thinks it wrong, has done. 

Doing right brings its reward in time, but it generally 
seems long in coming. With the first loss of an enjoy- 
ment to which we have been accustomed, all seems barren 
from Dan to Beersheba, and Georgie often questioned her- 
self whether she had not been too strict in declining Mr. 
Boch-’s friendship as well as his affection. 

But, whatever rules she laid down for herself, she made 
none for Sissy; she thought it would be hard if the little 
girl were deprived of so kind a friend as Mr. Boch, so she 
laid no restrictions on their intercourse. 


m&Q HARKINaTOK’s HUSBAKD. 135 

He had given Sissy a pretty piebald pen}'’, and used to 
call for her occasionally to take a ride in the park with him, 
but he did not ask to go upstairs. Sometimes he would 
come and see her in the evenings, when Georgie was at the 
theater, but he never stayed until she came home. 

Sissy used to comment on Mr. Boehms strange proceed- 
ings, and ask her sister for an explanation of them. 

“ Hiram has been here to-night,'’^ she would tell Georgie, 
in her free, childish way. “ It was so tiresome; he came 
just as you had driven away to the theater, and I wanted 
him so much to stay till you returned home, but he hadn^t 
time. He brought me a big box of caramels, and he wants 
to take me to a matinee at the Bijou to-morrow; and, 
Georgie, may I go?'"’ 

“ Yes, darling, of course you may! Mr. Boch is sure to 
take good care of you.^^ 

Why do you never see him now, Georgie? He looks so 
sad when I speak of it. Why don^’t you ride with him any 
more, or ask him to come in the afternoons ?^^ 

“ I have no time for visitors. Sissy dear; I am so often 
at rehearsal. 

‘‘ The rehearsals are all over now, said the child. “ Are 
you sick of Hiram, Georgie?^ ^ 

‘‘ What an extraordinary question to ask. Sissy! Am I 
in the habit of getting sick of my friends 

“ Well, I^m sure there’s smnetlimg wrong,” remarked 
Sissy, oracularly, because Hiram always gets red when I 
talk about you, and he takes the book with your photo- 
graphs on his knee when he comes here, and looks at it all 
the evening. ” 

“.Oh, Sissy, you think yourself very clever,” replied 
Georgie, with affected merriment, “ but like many would- 
be wise people, you have only found a mare’s nest. Why 
don’t you discover that there’s something wrong,’ as you 
call it, between Mr. Maxim and me, or General Man vers, 
or Judge Colesford?” 

“ Because I know there is not. Whenever you see them 
you shake hands heartily, and say you’re so glad; but when 
we met poor dear Hiram on Broadway last Thursday you 
only just bowed, and pretended you were going into a store; 
and he’s a thousand times nicer than any of them. Oh, 
Georgie, I do so loisli — ” 

But here Sissy stopped suddenly. 


136 


MISS HAEKIMGTON^S HUSBAND. 


“ What do you wish, dear?^^ 

“ I wish Gerard was dead, and you could marry Hiram 
Boch.^^ 

Georgie^s face paled to the color of ashes. For the mo- 
ment she felt as if a knife had run into her heart. Gerard 
dead! The pain she experienced at the mere thought 
should have shown her the true state of her affections; but 
with a strong effort she recovered herself, and took refuge 
in assumed displeasure. 

“ Sissy, you ought to be ashamed of yourself to speak in 
that way! How often have I told you how wrong it is to 
wish for any one^s death, and you mustnT talk about mar- 
rying other gentlemen to me. I am a married woman, 
and can not even think of such things. Go to Eachel, dear, 
and tell her to take you out walking; I am tired and want 
to rest.’^ 

“I wish I was old enough to marry him, grumbled 
Sissy. ‘‘ When you have gone to San Francisco I shall 
ask him about it. Perhaps he will wait for me.'’^ 

“ Perhaps he will,^^ acquiesced Georgie, laughingly. 
“ But I wouldnT ask him just yet. Sis. People doiPt like 
to have to wait too long, and I am not sure if I am going 
to San Francisco. 

It had been proposed by Mr. Maxim that, as soon as the 
New York season was over, he should take Miss Harring- 
ton to play in San Francisco, where he expected she would 
create a great sensation. This trip would entail an exten- 
sion of her yearns engagement, and Georgie had hesitated 
about signing the contract. 

She had now been ten months in America, and she had 
heard nothing of her husband, except such scraps of inior- 
mation as were conveyed through the letters of Marian 
Lacy, and they did not tend to give the wife much satis- 
faction. 

Marian seldom mentioned Captain Legh, except to say 
he was staying at the Mashams^, or gone fishing with the 
Colvilles, or crossed to Paris with the Delmaines. 

All people who had professed to be friends of Georgie^s, 
but who had evidently taken advantage of her absence to 
go over to the other side. 

She used to sigh as she perused Marianas letters, and say 
to herself that she supposed if she ever visited Englaud 
again she should find that she had not a friend left. Gap- 


MISS HAKRIHGTOM^S HUSBAND. 


137 


tain Legli would doubtless make bis own story good, and 
the world is more apt to take the word of the present than 
to believe in the absent. A living dog is at all times better 
than a dead lion. 

And then the question would arise, why she should con- 
template returning to England — at all events for some 
years to come? If she was not happy in her present con- 
dition, she was at least at peace, and there was no necessity 
for breaking it. 

At this juncture came Mr. Maximus offer for San Fran- 
cisco, and Georgie was tempted to accept it; but something 
held her back from renewing her engagement. Metaphor- 
ically, she was holding her breath to listen if any sign would 
reach her from the other side of the Atlantic, and it came 
in a very unexpected manner. 

One evening, on returning home from the theater, she 
found letters by the English mail laid on her table. 

Georgie was very tired. She glanced at the superscrip- 
tions hurriedly. There was no handwriting which she rec- 
ognized, so she threw them carelessly to one side till she 
had had her supper; then, when Eachel had disrobed her 
and brushed out her long hair and coiled it up for the night, 
and left her in a dressing-gown of pink cashmere to lounge 
on the sofa for a few minutes before retiring to rest, Georgie 
drew the letters toward her and opened them leisurely. 

There was a receipt from her dress-maker for the defrayal 
of her bill, a note from an ordinary acquaintance, two or 
three circulars, and an envelope addressed in an illiterate 
hand, and bearing the postmark of Hull (a town with which 
she was utterly unacquainted.) 

Georgie concluded it was a begging-petition, of which she 
received a constant supply, and broke the seal, impressed 
with a thimble, with the utmost indifference; but the con- 
tents at once arrested her attention. 

Folded in a sheet of white note-paper were four leaves cut 
from a “ Letts ^ Diary, inscribed, as she saw, in the writ- 
ing of her husband. 

‘‘Can Gerard have sent them to me?^^ she thought, in a 
bewildered manner, as she turned them over in her hands. 

But a few words, written in red ink at the heading of the 
first page, soon undeceived her: 

“ These are sent you by a friend. S, M. stands for Syl- 
via Marchmont. His diary is full of such entries. 


138 - 


MISS harringtok's husband. 


And then Georgie began to read words that made her 
cheeks flame like fire, and her whole frame tremble. The 
little sheets of paper were chiefly filled with initials and 
hieroglyphics, but she understood them all as if they had 
been written in letters of blood. A woman may forgive 
unkindiiess, condone cruelty, and overlook insult; but to 
know that she is forgotten as soon as her back is turned is 
more than a woman^s nature will bear. 

She did not shed a single tear as she locked the sheets in 
her writing-desk. She did not even wonder wlio^ had ab- 
stracted them from his diary and sent them to her. All 
she felt was that now she knew the worst, and everything 
was over between them for evermore. 

She went to bed with assumed indifference even to her- 
self; but her heart was aching with a low, dull sense of 
pain, and she could not sleep. All night long she lay in 
the dark gazing at an imaginary panorama of pictures that 
cut her to the quick. Pictures of Sylvia Marchmont, smil- 
ing in her youth and beauty, and Gerard Legh bending over 
her, with not a thought in the mind of either of the woman 
over the sea they wronged. Pictures, too, of her own past 
— of scenes of unhappiness — of words of pardon — of prom- 
ises of amendment that never were fulfilled. And Georgie 
Harrington felt that she had sacrificed her life to her ideal 
long enough, and that the time had come when she must 
think for herself. 

She rose in the morning an altered woman. She had 
been wavering about Mr. Maxima’s offer, now she wavered 
no longer. She had cherished an unconfessed hankering to 
return to England and have one more interview with her 
husband — now she felt that if she heard him approaching 
she must run away. Those entries in the diary had entirely 
changed the current of her thoughts. 

She told Mr. Maxim, the first thing in the morning, that 
she was ready to go with him to San Francisco, and to play 
for as long as he thought desirable. She put her name to 
an agreement for another six months^ engagement without 
the slightest hesitation; and in like manner she went 
through the task of preparing for her journey, of saying 
good-bye to her friends, and turning her back on the pleas- 
ures and luxuries of New York. She left Sissy and Eachel 
under the kind care of Mrs. Lousada-Lorens, and started 


MISS HARRIKGTON^S HUSBAKD. 139 

for several months^ absence with more indifference than 
she had ever evinced before. 

During the tedious six days^ journey by train she was so 
absorbed in her own thoughts that the strangers surround- 
ing her decided she was reserved and cold. But if any- 
thing is calculated to divert the mind from melancholy, and 
interest it in passing objects, it is the first view of San 
Francisco. 

On arriving there, Georgie seemed to wake up from her 
reverie, and thaw to her companions. The atmosphere, 
the fiowers, the fruits, the people, were all so widely differ- 
ent from what she had been accustomed to see, that she 
appeared to have alighted on a new world and left herself 
behind her. 

The enthusiasm also with which she was received gave 
her unaffected pleasure. Wherever she appeared she was 
greeted with shouts of welcome, blossoms seemed to spring 
up beneath her feet, and the offering of presents became an 
hourly occurrence. 

The Cahfornians paid homage to her talent and beauty 
by every means they could think of. Invitations poured in 
upon her from the wealthier residents, and her life was 
made one long holiday. 

“ I hope you are satisfied with your success now,^^ said 
Mr. Maxim to her, gayly. “ The seats are all booked for 
a month in advance, and we are turning away hundreds 
nightly. If any woman should be happy it is your majesty. 

“I am profoundly grateful to them, replied Georgie; 
“ and I think the Californians are the most generous and 
liberal-hearted people I have ever met. They deserve to 
make money, because they spend it so freely. 

‘‘ They would give ten dollars for a rose for you to step 
on if it would make you happy. 

And they are so delicate in their attentions, too,^^ said 
Georgie. ‘‘ I have never found out who it is who has my 
dressing-room so exquisitely scented with flowers every 
evening, or who erected the arch of roses at the station 
when I arrived. ” 

‘‘ No more have 1 /^ said the manager, dryly. 

“ Their generosity is extreme, continued Georgie, “ and 
I value it more than I can say. But those quiet little com- 
pliments that tell so much, and yet seek for no return, are 
worth all the rest to mel^V 


140 MISS HARRTNGTON^S HUSBAND. 

“ Perhaps you will find out the name of your secret bene- 
factor before you leave, and think of some means of re- 
quiting him/ ^ said Mr. Maxim. ‘‘Meanwhile, here is an 
invitation for you from the biggest man in the country — 
Mr. Llewellyn Thomas, of Rose Valley — to dinner next 
Sunday. Will you accept it? I can assure you his place is 
worth seeing; and you wonT get such a chance a^ain. 
Twenty years ago he was the most successful digger in the 
Sacramento valley, and he is a millionaire. They say he 
lives in a style that is simply regal. 

“ Who is asked beside myself, Mr. Maxim?” 

“/am, of course. The bear canT be asked out with- 
out his leader. And we are requested to bring any mem- 
bers of the company we may choose. They will be left to 
your selection. ” 

“We must take Miss Addison and Mrs. Hare,” said 
Georgie. “ I should not like to go without some ladies. 
And Mr. Crawley and young Ferdinand Ross. ” 

“ Very good, madame. You shall be obeyed. 

At that moment a waiter delivered a note and card to 
her that had been left at the hotel. Georgie glanced at 

them, and changed color. 

“ Dear me, how very strange!” she observed. “Lord 
Frederic Carr is in San Francisco 1^^ 

“ An English friend of yours, I presume ?^^ 

“ Scarcely that. He is a friend of Captain Legh^s; but 
I am only just acquainted with him. However, in a for- 
eign land we all seem friends. I wonder what he is doing 
in San Francisco?^ ^ 

She opened the note and read it. 

“ He is traveling for pleasure. He has to leave the town 
to-day; but returns in a week, and hopes I will receive him 

then. How, if he had been an American, he would have 
sent me a lovely bouquet of fiowers with these lines. 

“ You are getting spoiled. Miss Harrington. You will 
expect your admirers to empty Covent Garden for you when 
you return to England. ^ 

Georgie sighed. 

“Do what they may, they can never rival the American 
gentlemen in their devotion to our sex. That arch of roses 
at the station must have cost a lot of money!” 

“ How that arch of roses haunts you!” 

“ Yes, to find out who ordered its erection. It was so 


Miss UARRTNGTOJq-^S HUSBAN'D, 


141 


beautifully done. There were twelve pink wreaths in front 
of it, each one with ^ G. H. ^ in the center. And the ‘ Wel- 
come ^ was in white roses only. The prettiest thing I ever 
saw.^-’ 

Sounds like New York taste, doesnT it?^^ said Mr. 
• Maxim. 

“ Go you think so?^^ exclaimed Georgie, suddenly. “ But 
why should it not be so?^^ she added. ‘‘ They have any 
amount of money here, and can import taste from all over 
the world. You will try to find out his name for me, wonT 
yoa?’^ she went on, coaxingly, to the manager. 

Ifts name? Perhaps it is a she/’’ 

‘‘ Oh, no,^^ cried Georgie, laughing, “ I donT believe fhaf. 
It may be the offering of a peer or a peasant; but I feel 
quite certain it is not that of a she,” 


CHAPTER XXL 

THE DIGGER DIHHER. 

Mr. Llewellyh Thomas, who was noted for being the 
most successful man who ever went out barefoot to Cali- 
fornia to seek his fortune, had fallen desperately enamored 
of the beautiful Misff Harrington, and was anxious she 
should see everything at its best in Rose Valley. 

He was a big, brawny fellow, who did not look much 
more like a gentleman in his New York suit than he had 
done in his red flannel shirt, but his good-nature and lib- 
erality atoned for his other defects. He was a widower, of 
about forty years of age, and had been content to remain 
unmarried, until Georgie Harrington appeared on the San 
Francisco stage, and turned his thoughts once more in the 
direction of matrimony. 

If she could make up her mind to fix her home in Rose 
Valley, he thought he would be the very proudest man in 
California. 

And as far as Rose Valley itself was concerned, it might 
be said to have exceeded in beauty the most ambitious 
dreams of an earthly residence. 

Mr. Thomas had sent two open carriages to convey his 
guests from San Francisco to his house; and as they wound 
slowly down the road which led to it, the party could not 


14:2 MISS HAERIMGTOK^S HUSBAHl). 

restrain their bursts of admiration. On either side the 
mountainous crags through which the road was cut were 
clothed with verdure, interspersed with the brilliant blos- 
soms of the West, and with fruit, which hung like enameled 
jewels from the bough. 

“ In all my life,'’’ cried Georgie, ‘‘ I never saw such, 
roses; they are larger than peonies. Oh! Mr. Maxim, do 
ask the coachman to stop and pick one for me. I do not 
believe it would go into the crown of your hat.’’ 

And when the trial was made it was found to be most 
difficult of accomplishment. 

The ladies were in ecstasies; they filled their laps with 
the gorgeous fiowers that grew in luxuriance all over the 
place, and gave the valley its name, and arrived at the 
house, looking like one large bouquet of roses. 

Mr. Thomas was delighted by Miss Harrington’s enthu- 
siasm. He was a man of few words, but his looks betrayed 
the pleasure he felt at the warm praises she bestowed on 
everything she saw. 

The house was furnished in the most lavish manner; but 
Georgie had no eyes for anything except the grand scenery 
by which it was surrounded, and the lovely valley of roses 
in which it stood. She remained for many minutes on the 
threshold, drinking in the beauty of the landscape, and 
congratulating the bashful owner on his possessions. 

At last she was induced to turn away, with the ladies 
who accompanied her, and follow a grinning negress, with 
a scarlet handkerchief on her head, upstairs to the bed- 
room which had been selected for their accommodation. 

/‘Miss Harrington!” exclaimed Mrs. Hare, who was 
making a general inspection, “ what 2*5 this bedstead made 
of.^ It looks as though it was inlaid with ivory.” 

“ Dat is black ebony- wood and seed-pearl,” ^aid the 
grinning negress. “ Dat was made for de poor missus, but 
now she gone.” 

“Carved ebony, incrusted with seed-pearl!” cried 
Georgie, examining the bedstead; “ who wouldn’t be a 
digger’s wife? And after all — she died in it! AVhat base 
ingratitude!” 

“ But everything is in the same style, Miss Harrington,” 
said Miss Addison. “ Look at these chairs, they are all 
hand-painted; and the washing-stand is lovely — ebony and 
brass!” 


MISS HARKIMGTON^S HUSBAND. 


143 


‘‘ Dat am gold/^ observed the negress. 

Georgie, who was wasliing her hands, started backward, 
with a comical expression of dismay. 

“ It makes me quite nervous she exclaimed; “ I shall 
be afraid to touch anything! I feel as if I was in a jewel- 
box. 

Our host is evidently very rich,^^ observed Miss Addi- 
son, and a widower into the bargain; it is really quite in- 
teresting. ^ ^ 

‘‘ A chance for you, my dear,^^ laughed Georgie. 

Oh! I am afraid Fm not the object of his affection. Miss 
Harrington. Don't forget the dinner was organized in 
your honor!" 

At any rate, I am very glad we are here, and I mean 
to enjoy myself. Are we not ready to go down-stairs.^" 

She led the way to the drawing-room, where their host 
was waiting to receive them, and threw herself carelessly 
into a lounging-chair. As soon as ever she pressed the seat 
there arose the first strains of “ Home, sweet home!" 

‘‘ Oh!" cried Georgie, suddenly, as she jumped up again, 
and looked round to see whence the sound proceeded. 

‘^Don^t be alarmed," said Mr. Thomas; ‘‘I should 
have warned you — it is a musical chair; we have several in 
the room. Won't you sit down again? You will not find 
the music disagreeable." 

Thus adjured, amidst some tittering, Georgie Harring- 
ton resumed her seat, and the air was played out to the 
close. 

‘‘ But this is a most wonderful house of yours, Mr. 
Thomas," she said; “you must have spent an immense 
deal of money on it." 

“ What else have I to spend it on. Miss Harrington? I 
have no wife and no children. Under such circumstances 
wealth becomes an incumbrance instead of a pleasure. " 

“You should get some one to share it with you." 

“ That is my wish," he answered, “ but no one likes the 
Hose Valley well enough to stay here." 

“ They must be very hard to please," said Georgie. 

At that moment dinner was announced, and Mr. Thomas 
offered her his arm. 

The table was furnished with sufficient viands for sixty 
guests instead of six, and a dozen negro servants served the 
meal. 


144 MISS HAERINGTOK^S HUSBAND. 

Geoi’gie was, of course, placed in the seat of honor at her 
host’s right hand, and he seemed quite disa23pointed^that 
she could not partake of every dish upon the table. He 
spoke little, but he looked at her a great deal, and anxious- 
ly sought her opinion on the arrangement of his house, and 
the capabilities of his servants. 

It was a sultry day in September, and the evening breeze 
did not reach them easily in the valley. Toward the close 
of dinner Georgie looked rather heated, and began to use 
her fan. 

‘‘ You are too warm,” said Mr, Thomas, anxiously. 

‘‘ It is a little close,” she answered, smiling. 

“ Are you afraid of the fresh air?” 

“ On the contrary, I should greatly enjoy it.” 

“ Caesar,” said Mr. Thomas, to one of the colored serv- 
ants, “ open the paneled wall.” 

In a moment, as if by magic, the side of the room which 
looked upon the garden was parted in the center and slid 
back into the recess, and the valley of roses, with the sun- 
set shedding a glow upon its variegated blossoms, appeared 
in all it? beauty before them. 

Oh, how lovely — how exquisite!” cried Georgie, spring- 
ing from her seat. “ This is like fairyland, Mr. Thomas; 
you have the most beautiful home I think I ever saw. It 
is a perfect paradise!” 

“ Without an Eve, Miss Harrington,” he said, plaintively. 

‘‘Oh! there are plenty of Evesin this world, Mr. Thomas, 
but I don’t believe there is another valley of roses. I shall 
dream of this place when I am far away from it. I have 
never seen anything to equal it in my life. ” 

Her host was just about to summon up courage to give 
her a slight hint on the subject of his thoughts, when a 
servant brought him a card. 

“ Ah! my good young friend!” he exclaimed, as he 
looked at it. “ Ladies, will you excuse me one moment, 
whilst I go and welcome him?” 

He rose as he spoke, and was about to leave the room 
when he was met on the threshold by a man clothed in a 
suit of velveteen and corduroy, and with a riding-crop in 
his hand. 

Georgie looked round curiously. To her amazement, 
she beheld Hiram Boch. Her first idea was, that some- 
thing must have happened in New York. She forgot 


MISS HAKRINGTOl^^S HUSBAND. 145 

entirely that she had received good news of Sissy only the 
day before. 

‘‘ Yon here?^^ she exclaimed, loudly. “ Oh, Mr. Boch, 
what is the matter? Is anything wrong with my sister ?^^ 

In her impetuosity she flew to his side, and grasped his 
arm. 

But Mr. Boch seemed as much taken aback as herself. 
He glanced at Maxim and murmured: 

“You might have warned me of this.^^ 

“ I do not understand,^^ said Mr. Thomas. “ You have 
the honor, then, of knowing Miss Harrington, Mr. Boch?^^ 

“ I am proud to say I have. We were excellent friends 
in New York, werenT we. Miss Harrington?^ ^ 

“ Yes — yes! But what brings you here?^^ 

“ Nothing to do with Sissy, so donT alarm yourself. I 
am here on business— et simple, Mr. Thomas is an 
old chum of mine, as he will tell you, but had I known he 
had company to-day, I should not have intruded on him. 

“ My dear sir, why say so? Miss Harrington is the 
queen of this little feast, and if you are her friend that is 
all-sufficient.^^ 

“ Then I may sit down, I suppose, and have a glass of 
wine?^^ said Hiram Boch, laughing; but he looked white 
and uneasy all the same. 

As for Georgie, her first feelings of fear had given place 
to wonder. 

How long had Mr. Boch been in San Francisco? and 
why had Mr. Maxim not mentioned the fact to her? And 
what “ business could have brought him into immediate 
proximity with them again? 

She resumed her seat, but the brightness of her mood 
had given place to thought and silence. 

Every now and then she could feel that Hiram Boehm’s 
eyes had stolen her way, and were resting on her; but she 
would not raise her own. Their sudden meeting had raised 
a sensation of pleasure in her breast which alarmed her. 
She told herself it was because he had been so good a friend 
to her and Sissy, but the feeling made her uneasy all the 
same. Mr. Thomas tried to tempt her with fruit and wine, 
but her interest in the banquet was over, and her spirits 
would not rally. 

As soon as dinner was concluded, he proposed an ad- 
journment to the garden, where coffee was to be served 


146 


MISS harkingtok's husband. 


upon the terrace, and the various members of the party 
were soon dispersed amongst the winding paths. 

Hiram Boch found his way to the side of Georgie Har- 
rington. 

“ You are not going to refuse to speak to me altogether, 
I hope?^^ he said, pleadingly. You are not angry with 
me for being here?^'’ 

“ I have no right to be angry, said Georgie; “ but I am 
very much surprised. Why have I not been told that you 
were in San Francisco? Mr. Maxim evidently knew it. 
Why did you bind him to secrecy?'^ 

“ Because I feared to provoke your displeasure.^'’- 

‘‘ Why should I be displeased at your pursuing your bus- 
iness, whatever it may be? What have I to do with it? 
But since we were once so intimate — 

“ It is because we were once so intimate, Georgie, that I 
am here. Forgive me! I could not help it! I could not 
live in New York, knowing you were so far away, and that 
in case of need I could be of no assistance to you.'’^ 

“ You have followed me, Mr. Boch?’^ 

‘‘ Indeed I have. Who else should I follow? But I 
never intended to obtrude my presence upon you. I made 
Maxim promise not to tell you of my proximity; and if it 
had not been for this unintentional encounter you would 
have still remained in ignorance that I was near you.'’^ 

But what is the use of your going to so much trouble 
and expense on my account?” said Georgie. 

“ W/iat is the use of it ^ Ho I not see you at the theater 
every night, and satisfy myself that you are well and pros- 
perous? Am I not at hand in case of anything happening 
to you (which Heaven forbid!) ready to help you, or be of 
help to you, as you may see best to employ me?" 

Georgie ^s eyes filled with tears. 

“ You are very good!” she answered. “ I think it was 
foolish of you to follow me; but I can not reproach you 
when you speak like that. But I want to save you pain, 
Mr. Boch, and therefore I would rather you went back to 
New York and forgot me.” 

‘‘ But I can not forget you. Miss Harrington. I do not 
wish to forget you. To do you a service, however small — 
to pay you a trifling honor — ^is more to me than anything 
else in the world. ” 

A sudden light broke in upon Georgie. 


MISS HARRIKGTOM^S HUSBAND. 


147 


Was it you, then,^^ she cried, that had the arch of 
roses erected at the station when I arrived? Is it by your 
orders that my dressing-room is decorated with flowers 
every night 

The young man hung his head. 

“ It has not displeased you, I hope?^’ he said. 

“ Displeased me — no. But I am not worth so much 

trouble on your part, because I can never repay it. 

“ DonT let us talk of repayment, please,'’^ he answered, 
gayly; ‘‘ let us admire the beautiful mospect around us in- 
stead 

‘‘ Ah, is it not beautiful? I hardly thought such a place 
could exist on this lower earth. Look at those crimson 
roses, and that arbor covered with yellow buds! I feel as 
if I could never tire of gazing at them. This is hke a new 
world to me. 

Can not you make it into a new world, Georgie? Can 
not you persuade yourself that you have left the old world 
behind you, and, stepping over its conventionalities, begin 
a new and happier life in this glorious clime of Oalifornia?^^ 
“ I donT quite understand you, Mr. Boch.^'^ 

I am alluding to what we spoke of once in New York; 
of the advisability of your getting a divorce from your hus- 
band, and starting afresh in life on this side of the Atlantic. 
Of course, I am not speaking altogether unselfishly; you 
know the hopes I cherish in the event of your becoming 
free. But if love can atone for the past, you will have a 
fair chance of happiness in the future.^'’ 

He bent his handsome face down to hers as he spoke, 
and Georgie felt very much moved toward him. 

“ Love is a great temptation,^ ^ she said, softly; I can 
not live without it, and I have missed it so much of late.'’^ 
You will not miss it in me,^'’ he answered, fervently, 
for I have adored you from the first moment we met. 
Oh! Georgie! trust your fate to me.* I will ask you for no 
promise, nor bind you to any deed, until you are once more 
free to choose for yourself. But let me put the matter in 
hand; if you will give me permission I will start for Chi- 
cago to-morrow, and obtain every information on the sub- 
ject. And if the laws of this country can restore your lib- 
erty (as I know they can) I will leave you to enjoy it. I 
will not worry you with entreaties or complaints; I will 


14B 


MISS HARRIKCtTON^S UrSBAKD, 


wait patiently till you give me some sign that I may speaks 
and then I will lay everything I possess at your feet. 

“ You have the spirit of the middle ages in you, Mr. 
Boch, and you deserve a far better reward than I could 
ever give you; for though I wish that I had never seen the 
man who has made me so unhappy, I am afraid that no 
amount of liberty would restore my peace of mind.^^ 

Not liberty, perhaps, but love! A love like mine 
would leave you no room for remembrance or regret. Say 
that you will think of it, Georgie!^' 

‘‘ Yes; I will think of it!^^ she answered. 

Why should she not? she asked herself, as she stood gaz- 
ing with her sad blue eyes at the lovely scene around her. 
Why was she to be miserable forever when nature was smil- 
mg on every side? 

Hiram was right; she had stepped from an old world to 
a new. The country, the people, the laws, were none of 
them the same. Was it not only reasonable that in accept- 
ing one she should accept the other: What obstacle was 
there to her agreeing to his offer, and entering on a new 
life of love and happiness with him? 

Only one — a small obstacle — starved for want of proper 
nourishment, until it scarcely resembled the glad being it 
had been at its birth; but still living, and making its ex- 
istence known every now and then by feeble cries and un- 
easy moans, and long-drawn plaintive sighs— only her love 
for Gerard Legh. 

But Georgie scarcely recognized the child of her heart at 
this moment. She did not believe in it. She thought that 
it was dead and buried. So presently she turned her sad 
eyes upon Hiram Boch, and spoke her mind: 

‘‘ You are right. It is of no use my thinking further of 
an irremediable past. I will take your advice and appeal 
to the laws of America to help me out of this dilemma. 
And if I get free — 

“ If you get free?’^ repeated the young man, with the 
gladness of hope irradiating every feature of his face. 

‘ ‘ I shall not be slow to acknowledge that I owe it all to 
yow” she said, with a soft smile, as she let him take her 
hand and press it between his own. 


MISS fiAHRlI^GTOK^S HUSBAKD. 


149 


CHAPTER XXIL 

NEWS FROM HOME. 

The result of Georgie Harrington meeting Mr. Hiram 
Boch in the Rose Valley was a renewal of the intimacy she 
had broken off in Hew York. 

The young American now presented, himself on every 
available opportunity^ and his addresses grew warmer and 
more demonstrative each time they met. 

Georgie began to feel uncomfortable about it, and re- 
minded him that she was not yet free; and until she re- 
ceived reliable information that it was possible for her to 
become so, she must ask him to moderate the frequency of 
his visits. 

This hint threw Mr. Boch into a fever of anxiety to pro- 
cure the necessary details, and, unwilling as he was to leave 
her, he made preparations at once to travel to Chicago, 
and consult a lawyer on the subject in person. 

‘‘ And when I return,-’^ he exclaimed, ‘‘ armed with the 
instructions how you are to proceed — what then?^^ 

“ Will it not be time enough to answer that q^uestion 
when I have seen fche instructions?^^ replied Georgie. 
‘‘ You are very sanguine on the matter, Mr. Boch, but I 
can not believe it is possible to get a divorce, even in this 
country, without witnesses, or the consent of both parties. 

“You have witnesses, said the young man, eagerly; 
“ you have a friend in Xew York who knows the shameful 
way in which you have been treated. You have a letter 
from your husband, in which he says he never wishes to see 
you again. And you have your receipts to prove that you 
have paid for his support for years past. AVhat more can 
you desire? The fact alone of your being in this country, 
dependent on yourself, proves the case.^^ 

“ It may be so,^^ returned Georgie, “ but it seems very 
incredible to me. 

“ I will show you that it is true,^^ said Hiram Boch, 
gayly. “ I will obtain all the information that is necessary 
from the first lawyer in Chicago. Perhaps he will recom- 
mend your going to Rhode Island. In that case 1 will 
journey there myself, to make sure the advice is good. I 


150 


MISS sakrington’s husbakb. 


will spare no pains, nor time, nor money, Georgie, to set 
your heart at rest upon this matter. ” 

‘‘It is not worth so much trouble on your part, Mr. 
Boch.^^ 

“ It is worth all the world to me, and you know it. Only 
promise — 

“ No! no! I can promise nothing! I should hate my- 
self if I could speculate on a contingency that may never 
occur. Should I ever be free to do as I choose, Mr. Boch 
— and I tell you candidly I do not believe in it — then ask 
me to promise what you will, and I will listen patiently to 
you, if I can not grant your request. 

“lam sure^ou. will grant it!^^ he answered, impress- 
ively. 

“ I do not affect to misunderstand your meaning, my 
dear friend, but I am not at all sure. My brain is in a 
whirl when I think of it. It is awful that there should be 
auy change in a life that seemed so settled. And. some- 
times I feel that, if all were over with my present mar- 
riage, I should have no courage to enter upon another. 

“ I will not have you feel so,^^ he replied. “ The pre- 
liminaries in such a case are necessarily painful, but you 
need not dread the publicity that you would encounter, 
under similar circumstances, in England. You can have 
no idea how rapidly and quietly we run these little matters 
through out here. And surely, Georgie, if you get free, 
you would never condemn yourself to a future of loneliness? 
It would be too unnatural !^^ 

“ How can I be lonely, leading the life I do?^' she ques- 
tioned. 

“ Then I should have said a future of lovelessness, which, 
with your youth and beauty, would be more unnatural 
still. Tell me you will never condemn yourself to such a 
lot!^^ 

“ If I chose it, it would be no condemnation.^^ 

Have you no pity, then, for me?^^ he cried. 

“ So much pity, my dear friend, and so much considera- 
tion, that I would never accept the devotion of your life 
unless I could return it in adequate measure. OanT you 
understand me, Mr. Boch? My heart is still too sore for 
consolation. My pride has been so much woimded — my 
disappointment is so keen that I distrust myself and my 
own judgment. You will be patient with me, I am sure. 


MISS HARKIMGTOM^S HUSBAND. 


151 


Even if I do not avail myself at once of all the trouble you 
are taking for me, you will know I am not ungrateful. In 
time, perhaps, I may show you I am mindful of it — but 
just now I can^t — I canH.^^ 

He looked disappointed, but did not press her further. 

‘‘ I feel sure that whatever you decide on doing will be 
best,-’^ he answered; “ and whenever, and in whatever way, 
I can assist you I always will. My alfection for you would 
be worth very little if it could not promise that. But I 
shall not relinquish my present task. I shall go to Chicago, 
and satisfy myself that I have not misled you with false 
hopes.'’-’ 

‘‘ I shall be glad to know exactly how I stand,^^ said 
Georgie. 

The encouragement was fe)eble, but Hiram Boch did not 
waver from his purpose. He started for Chicago the fol- 
lowing day, and Georgie felt a sensible relief at his depart- 
ure. 

While he was away she could think of his attachment for 
her with a certain amount of pride, and sigh that she was 
unable to return it; but directly he came into her presence 
she shrunk from him with that feeling of guilt which every 
woman must experience who encourages, however silently, 
the hopes which she never expects to be able to fulfill. 

As soon as Mr. Boch was gone she applied herself with 
renewed energy to the duties of her profession, and became 
a greater favorite than ever in San Francisco. • 

About a week after the dinner in Rose Valley she re- 
ceived a very modest, though practical, offer of marriage 
from Mr. Llewellyn Thomas, who inclosed a schedule of 
his various investments, speculations, and receipts for her 
satisfaction. 

This was a breaking heart over which Georgie could 
afford to laugh, and it afforded her great amusement. The 
only sigh she gave to it was when she remembered that her 
answer must shut her out from the beauties of Rose Valley 
forever. 

Why couldnT the man have let her enjoy his enviable 
possessions until she was on the point of leaving them, in- 
stead of spoiling everything as soon as she became ac- 
quainted with him? 

The letter had to be answered, however, and it quenched 
poor Mr. Thomases aspirations at once. 


152 


MISS HAKKIKGTON^S HUSBAND. 


But Georgie said nothing of her husband in it. She 
merely declined with thanks. She had begun to feel shy 
of mentioning the fact of her marriage in the New World. 
The announcement invariably entailed so much question- 
ing, surprise, and deprecation, that it was more than she 
could stand. So (excepting to Lord Frederic Carr) she 
held her tongue about it altogether. 

This gentleman had called upon her shortly after Hiram 
Boehms departure for Chicago. He had only been an ac- 
quaintance of hers in England — one of Captain Legh^s 
club-friends — but the acquaintanceship developed wonder- 
fully from the moment of their meeting in Cahfornia. 
The fact being that Gerard Legh was of a very jealous 
temperament, and Georgie had never given much encour- 
agement to his male friends to visit her. Neither did she 
feel inclined to accord it to Lord Frederic now. 

He was one of those rather free-spoken ‘‘haw-haw!^^ 
swells, who imagine, because a woman is an actress or mar- 
ried, that they can talk to her as they like. And Georgie 
dreaded hearing something from his lips about Gerard. 

The extracts which she had read from her husband^s 
diary were rankling in her heart like a poisoned barb in a 
flesh-wound, although her pride forbade her confessing the 
pain they gave her. 

She had tried to argue with herself that it was no longer 
any consequence to her what he said or did, or with whom 
he associated; but the sensitiveness with which she shrunk 
from the remembrance exposed the deception. 

Lord Frederic Carr had lately left England on a trip of 
pleasure to the W est. He had seen Gerard to the last, and 
probably knew all his associates, and had partaken of his 
pleasures; and while he lounged on her sofa, entertaining 
her with small talk and indulging in reminiscences of the 
past, Georgie sat on thorns lest the next sentence should 
introduce the name of a rival or reveal some act of which 
she had not yet heard. 

But Lord Frederic was not the person to take a hint 
easily. He was a very important being in his own estima- 
tion, and considered Miss Harrington a lady to be envied 
for enjoying the distinction of his acquaintanceship. Be- 
ing of a frugal turn of mind, he did not offer her any valu- 
able presents, but he called at her hotel regularly every 
afternoon, and wa§ generally to be met behind the scenes 


MISS HARHIMCtTOM^S HUSBA15-D. 158 

at night, and the name of Captain Legh was very often on 
his lips. 

‘‘ It is a curious coincidence. Miss Harrington, he said, 
one day, “ that your husband was the last person I saw in 
London. There was a wine-party at Cleveland's the night 
before, and we didnT break up till about five o’clock in 
the morning, and I had to start at eight for Liverpool; and 
so Legh, and Sampson, and two or three other fellows 
volunteered to see me off. I didn’t want them to do so, 
for (saving your presence), they were awfully ‘ screwed,’ 
but they would come, and Legh was the last face I saw as 
the train moved off.” 

‘‘How very interesting,” said Georgie. “They must 
have presented an edifying spectacle at eight o’clock in the 
morning. ’ ’ 

“ Now, Miss Harrington, you mustn’t be too hard upon 
them, for we had been keeping it up, I assure you, and — ” 
“ Don’t trouble yourself to find excuses for them. Lord 
Frederic. It is nothing out of the way. I have not been 
married three years without learning so much.” 

“Of course not, and all men are the same, you know. 
Now, about these American fellars : what do you think of 
them. Miss Harrington? Aren’t they very inferior to our 
fellars? They drink shockingly, you know; the bars are 
always full of them, and they have quite an extraordinary 
idea of dress. Met a man the other day walking down tlie 
town with a crimson neck-tie and a plush waistcoat. Strikes 
one as rather unusual, doesn’t it now?” 

' “I suppose it would be difficult to visit any foreign 
nation without observing habits that strike us as unusual. 
Lord Frederic.” 

“ Aw! but I don’t mean only that, you know. Miss Har- 
rington. Come now, you must have seen plenty of them 
in New York. They were buzzing round you like bees all 
the time, I know. And didn’t they strike you as — well — 
as very unlike us, you know?” 

“ Very unlike. Lord Frederic!” 

“ You’re a woman of observation, and I felt sure you 
would say so; not the same style, eh?” 

“ A totally different style; if they dissipate, they don’t 
boast of it before women; if they are angry they don’t in- 
sult them; if they are married men they keep their peccadil- 


154 MISS HARRIMGTO■N■^S HUSBAKD. 

loes to themselves. From this point of view I find them 
very different.^^ 

‘^Aw! I see how it is^ Miss Harrington; they were all 
^ mashed ^ on you^, and so you won^t say a word against 
them. Now, donH deny it, for it^s true, and I’m mum, 
you know; not a word to Legh when I get back, though I 
Son’t suppose he expected an3dhing else when you came 
out here. ” 

“Ho you go back soon?” asked Georgie, wishing to 
change the conversation. 

“ I don’t know, I’m sure,” replied his lordship, with his 
glass in his eye. “ I only came over on pleasure, and my 
time is my own, so I shall not return till I’ve had enough 
of it; but I expect that will be the case before Christmas. 
By the way, Legh jiromised to spend Christmas down at 
Suddeley Park with my people. I thought it would do the 
poor beggar good to have a run in the country. He was 
looking awfully ill when I left.” 

“ Gerard ill I” exclaimed Georgie, startled by the intelli- 
gence. 

“ By Jove, yes! I thought he would have told you. As 
thin as a lath and as yellow as a guinea. Expect he’s been 
living a little too fast since you left him. Miss Harrington. 
Husbands will do it, you know, sometimes, when they’re 
, deju’ived of all their home comforts. ” 

“ Captain Legh can scarcely be said to be in that pre- 
dicament,” said Georgie, coldly. “ He has a comfortable 
house and good servants, to say nothing of having his 
father’s place, Summerhayes, to visit when he chooses. ” 

“ Oh! I don’t fancy Legh troubles Summerhayes much,” 
replied Lord Frederic; “ they’re too starched there to suit 
him ; and I dare say Miss Lacy does all she can to make 
his home comfortable; but he’s awfully hard up, and she 
can hardly replace you, you know!” 

Miss Lacy repeated Georgie. “What has she to 
do with Captain Legh?” 

For Marian had carefully avoided mentioning her change 
of residence in her letters to her cousin. 

“ Why, surely you must know that she and her mother 
are keeping house for Legh. And a good arrangement I 
thought it. But it doesn’t seem to have turned out a suc- 
cess, for he sleeps half the nights of the week in cham- 
bers.’^ 


MISS HAKKIKGTON'S HUSBAKD. 1'5o 

“It is strange I should not have heard of this from 
Marian/^ said Georgie; “ but it really is of little conse- 
quence to me so long as it suits Gerard/^ 

“ I mentioned to Miss Lacy how ill Legh looked/^ con- 
tinued Lord Frederic, “the last time I saw her; but she 
laughed' at the idea. It is true though. Miss Harrington ! 
All the men in town noticed the change in him; and I 
think the sooner you go home again the better. When 
does your engagement out here end?’^ 

“My engagement is an indefinite one," said Georgie, 
with an assumption of indifference, “ and can be extended 
according to my own pleasure. I always meant to stay out 
in the country some time, and should not dream of return-* 
ing to England without due cause. If Captain Legh is ill 
why have I not been told of it?’’^ 

“ That I canT venture to say," replied her companion, 
“ and I am sorry if I have made you anxious; but I only 
tell you what every one talks about. Even Lord Kinlock ' 
told me he had never seen his son look so pulled down be- 
fore." 

“I dare say the cold weather will set him up again," 
said Georgie, cheerfully. “ What sort of a winter are they 
having at home? Have you heard?" And thereupon they 
drifted into subjects totally irrelevant to Captain Legh; 
and Lord Frederic Carr left the presence of the beautiful 
Miss Harrington, convinced that she was one of the cold- 
est, most hard-hearted women that he had ever met. 


' CHAPTER XXIII. 

A MODEEK HERO. 

It was the first time that Miss Harrington had played 
“ The Siren " in San Francisco, and she haS taken the house 
by storm. The third act, in which she did not appear, was 
on the stage, aiid she was lying down on a sofa in her dress- 
ing-room to rest herself before she went on again. Her 
dresser was fussing about the room, shaking out and hang- 
ing up the costumes she had already worn, and preparing 
the one she was about to assume. Her tongue, after the 
manner of the tongues of dressers, never ceased to wag as 
she pursued her occupation, and talked of this lady^s gen- 
erosity and that one^s meanness. 


156 MISS hakringtom’s iiusbakd. 

But Georgie Harrington was not listening to a word she 
said. She lay on her couch, with one hand pressed against 
her brow as if she would stifle the thoughts that oppressed 
her. 

The new triumph she had achieved, and the applause 
that had greeted her, were forgotten as soon as they had 
passed. Mr. Maxim had met her at the wings with an 
affected lamentation that, at this rate, they should not get 
out of San Francisco for the next six months; and she had 
smiled and looked gratified, though in reality she didnT 
care two straws about it. 

Her head ached, and her heart would have ached in 
unison with it, if she had felt that she had a heart at all; 
but for Georgie Harrington the world seemed suddenly to 
have lost all its interest. The excitement of her novel 
position was over, and everything seemed dark and uncer- 
tain. She felt as if she had lost her way, as if she could 
never go back, and there was nothing to be gained by ad- 
vancing. 

Hiram Boch had now been absent for a month, but he 
had written her several letters full of hope in the possiblity 
of clearing the path before her. Every difficulty was being 
overcome in the most wonderful manner, and in a short 
time he expected to be able to report that he was ready for 
action. He did not obtrude the mention of the reward he 
looked for upon her; but she knew what it was, and the 
nearer it came the more it lessened in value. 

What should she say to him when he came back? How 
she wished she had never lent her sanction to his proceed- 
ing on a quixotic errand which could end in nothing but 
disappointment for him ! 

As bitter thoughts pressed in upon her mind, and made 
her contract her brows with pain, Georgie Harrington tried 
to persuade herself tliey were all given to Hiram "Boch and 
his wasted energies. Nothing would have made her con- 
fess they were the, offspring of the news Lord Frederic Carr 
had told her, and that the idea of Captain Legh looking 
“ awfully ill/" and being “ awfully hard up,"" haunted her 
night and day, to say nothing of an extra pang whenever 
she remembered that Marian Lacy was ministering to his 
daily comfort, and taking her place at the head of his 
household. 

Georgie had no reason that she knew of to doubt her 


MISS hakrikgtok'’s husband. 


157 


cousin^s fidelity to herself. Marian had always professed 
to be one of her truest friends; and doubtless, if Lord 
Fredericks statement was correct, she had accepted the 
charge of Gerardos menage as much out of kindness to one 
as the other. But Georgie could not understand why she 
had been kept in the dark concerning it. And why had 
not Marian informed her of her husband^s illness? 

She had never mentioned him excepting in connection 
with some merry-making — with being at theaters, races, or 
balls — things of little moment perhaps, but which had 
planted an extra sting in Georgie^s remembrance of him. 

The applause of the audience still continued; the third 
act was drawing to a close. It was time for her to dress 
for her last appearance. She dragged herself wearily off 
the couch at the dresser^s demand, and submitted to be 
clothed in a long white clinging garment that made her 
look like a Grecian statue. Just as she was ready there 
was a knock at the door, and Lord Fredericks card was. 
presented to her. 

I can not see him, kk she answered, fretfully. ‘‘Tell 
his lordship I am dressing, kk 

But in another minute, when she issued from her room, 
she found him propped up against the wall outside. 

“ I am sorry to have disturbed you,kkhe said, “but I 
only wanted to tell you how sorry I was to hear the news, kk 

“ What news?kk 

“ The report from England about Legh. It may be ex- 
aggerated, you know, but doubtless you have heard direct. 
Is Miss Lacy with him?kk 

Georgie felt her heart grow cold. 

“ I donkt know what you allude to,kk she uttered, faint- 
ly! “I have heard nothing. What is it? Donkt keep me 

in suspense, kk 

“ Perhaps I had better not tell you, if youkve heard 
nothing,kk said Lord Frederic, stupidly. 

“ Yes, yes, you must. I insist upon knowing. How 
could I go on the stage in this state of uncertainty? Tell 
me at once. Lord Frederic. Is anything wrong?kk 

“ Well, heks got typhoid down at Hatleigh; at least so 
my sister, Mrs. Raynor, says. He was to have spent 
Christmas at Suddeley Park^ as I told you, but he's liad 
to put it off/' 


158 


3IISS HAKKIKGTOlSr'S HUSBAND. 


Is lie — is lie dancjei'onsly ill?^^ slie asked, with pallid 

lips. 

Lord Frederic looked anxious. 

‘‘ I wish I hadn^t told you/^ he muttered. “You 
oughtn'^t to have pressed me, Miss Harrington, but I 
thought some one would have sent you the news.'’-' 

“Of course, I shall hear to-morrow ; but I must know 
the truth to-night. Did Mrs. Raynor say my husband was 
dangerously ill?'^ 

“ Well, he was bad enough when she wrote; but that's a 
fortnight or three weeks ago, and I dare say he's as right 
as a trivet now. You mustn't look like that. Miss Har- 
rington. You frighten me, upon my word you do. Let 
me fetch you a glass of wine, or something. You can't go 
on the stage like that. You look as if you were going to 
faint. " 

“ Ho, no, I am not going to faint!" replied Georgie, 
pusliing past him. “ Thank you for telling me. There 
is my call! I must go," and she disappeared upon the 

“By Jove!" thought Lord Frederic, left behind, “I 
wish I had bitten out my tongue before I was such a fool 
as to let it out. How her face changed as she heard it ! 
She must care for the beggar after all. I must go and see 
how she pulls through her part." 

And he took up his station at the wings, and watched 
her narrowly. She did not seem to let the news she had 
received affect her acting. She was just as impassioned 
and as forcible as she had been before. Once or twice, as 
the action of the play brought her near to the wing, Lord 
Frederic thought he could discern real tears upon her face; 
but if so they only rendered her personation of the Siren 
more natural, and the delight of the spectators rose with the 
occasion. At last it was over. 

Mr. Llewellyn Thomas, faithful under dismissal, threw 
her a bouquet of the Valley roses, with a diamond ring 
concealed in it worth five thousand dollars. Minor compli- 
ments followed, until the stage was covered with floral 
trophies. The jeune premier had to lead her on three or 
four times before the curtain, and then she was left in 
peace to seek her own apartment. As she passed Lord 
Frederic Carr he was shocked to see how haggard her 


MISS HAERIMGTOM’s HU sea kb. 150 

countenance had suddenly become. He advanced to speak 
to her, but she waved him back imperiously. 

“ Leave me alone, she said, quickly — “ leave me alone. 
I can bear it best by myself. 

She disrobed and got into her carriage as quietly as she 
could, scarcely any one but the employes seeing her leave 
the theater. A crowd was assembled at the stage-door to 
see her come out, but she was so muffled up they could not 
discern her features. . 

“ Put up your veil! We want to see your pretty face!'’^ 
cried a rough, but good-natured by-stander. 

At another time Georgie would have laughed at the 
boorish request and complied with it, but to-night she 
pulled up the windows of her carriage, and cowered back 
upon the cushions as if she were desirous to hide herself 
from view. Her brain was burning; her frame was trem- 
bling; for her heart echoed continually that one sentence, 
^^dangerously ill of typhoid fever.” Her vivid imagina- 
tion supplied all the rest. A month ago he had been 
dangerously ill. To-day he was dead and buried — hidden 
out of her sight, beyond the reach of pardon and peace for- 
ever. By the time the vehicle drew up at the hotel door 
she had worked herself up to a pitch of hysteria. The un- 
natural restraint she had been compelled to put on herself 
in public would have its revenge. 

As she reached her private rooms, which were divided by 
a YQlwet portiere, she felt that her endurance had reached 
its limit, and throwing herself headlong upon a couch, she 
burst into a flood of tears. Some one waiting for lier re- 
turn in the back room first started at the sound, and then 
rose quickly to inquire into its cause. 

It was Mr. Boch, who had returned from Chicago that 
evening, and was anxious to report the progress he had 
made to her. But her .evident distress made him forget 
everything but itself. 

‘‘ Georgie,'’/ he exclaimed, are you ill? What has oc- 
curred to upset 5mu?’^ 

“ Oh, Mr. Boch, is that you? I am so utterly — utterly 
miserable!'’^ 

She rose as she spoke and tried to dry her streaming 
eyes, but her hand shook so she could hardly help herself. 

“You distress me infinitely,’’ said Hiram Boch; “ and 
I hoped we should have such a happy meeting. I have 


160 


MISS HAREINGTON^S HUSBAND. 


traveled night and day to get here a little earlier^ but I 
would not disturb you at the theater. What is the matter? 
Any bad news from England? Is your husband going to 
join you?' ^ 

“ Oh, no, no; I wish he could. He is ill, Mr. Boch. 
Lord Frederic Carr heard it in a letter from his sister. 
My husband is dangerously ill of typhoid fever. By this 
time he may be dead and buried. He has not been well 
for months," she went on, catching her breath, “ and no 
one has had the grace to let me know of it. And now he has 
taken this fever at the very worst time. I scarcely dare 
think what may have happened to him. And I am chained 
here — chained like a dog, without the power to get away. 
Oh, what shall I do? What shall I do?" 

‘‘ What do yOu tvant to do?" asked Mr. Boch. 

It was only by a tremendous effort of will that he could 
address her quietly. He had arrived that evening full of 
hope and joyful anticipations. He was laden with proofs 
of the facility with which she could procure a divorce from 
the man whose possible danger had the power to provoke 
this access of grief on her part. What use were they now? 
He did not even dare to allude to the errand he had been 
engaged upon. He could only listen with a cold and sink- 
ing heart to her lamentations. 

‘‘ What can you do?" he continued, slowly. “ If (as you 
surmise) Captain Legh's illness may have terminated 
fataly, there is nothing to be done. And if he has re- 
covered from it, he can not need your assistance, even if 
he would accept it. The best thing to be done is to send a 
telegram to inquire the result. AVill that satisfy you?" 

“ Satisfy me! Oh, how cruel you are!" cried Georgie. 
“ How can anything satisfy me while this miserable state 
of things exists between us? Can't you see? Can't you 
understand? If he dies now — ^if he is dead — nothing can 
ever make me happy in this world again. It is all very 
well to talk, but he is my husband. No one can ever be 
so dear to me as he has been; and if we never meet again I 
shall kill myself!" 

In the intense selfishness of love she entirely forgot the 
feelings of the man by her side who had gone forth joyfully 
to seek the means which should bring him nearer to herself, 
and had come back to hear for the first time the real senti- 
ments she cherished. As her words fell on his ear Hiram 


MISS HARKIInCtTOIs^S HUSBAND. 161 

Boch moved a little further from her side, and regarded 
her with sorrowful amazement. 

Do you mean to tell me, then, that you love this man.^^^ 
he asked, in a low voice. 

Oh! yes, yes! Have you not guessed it? If I had oiot 
ioved him, do you think I should have held aloof from you 
as I have done?^'’ 

^‘But think how he has injured you. Miss Harrington. 

I am not speaking now for myself, but for you; how he 
has insulted and abused you! Think of his indifference — 
his neglect — and ask yourself what consideration he de- 
serves at your hands now!^^ 

‘‘ I know it! I have thought of it! The remembrance 
has nearly driven me mad. But it was as much my fault 
as his. I aggravated and irritated him. He is not a good 
temper, and I have been inconsiderate of his failings; how 
I hate myself for it now!^^ 

‘‘ I am sure you have nothing to reproach yourself with, 
returned Mr. Boch, earnestly. You must have been only 
too good and gentle with him. It is this unfortunate news 
that has made you so sensitive: you will think differently 
to-morrow. 

‘‘ Indeed I shall not! And if he is gone — Oh! Gerard !^^ 
she cried, relapsing into tears. 

Let me at least set your mind at rest on this subject,^^ 
replied Hiram Boch. ‘‘I will go to the night telegraph 
office, and send a message to London at once. What is 
Captain Legh^s address? 

"‘Oh! how good you are! Here is the address on my 
card. But if — if the answer should be what I dread !^^ 

Then you will at least know the worst, he replied, as 
he sallied forth to send the message, with a sincere prayer 
that the reply might be favorable to his wishes. 

Georgie spent a miserable night, full of hopes and fears, 
but no answer was returned to the telegram. 

The next day passed in the same painful suspense, and , 
by the close of it she had worked herself up to such a state 
of alarm that her condition was pitiable, and Mr. Boch saw 
that if she had no relief her strength would give way. 

‘‘ What do you want to do?"'"’ he reiterated. 

I must go to England, replied Georgie, in a hollow 
voice. I feel sure that he is dead, or he would have sent 
an answer to my telegram. I can not bear the suspeuse. 


162 


illSS HARRINGTON'S HUSBAND. 


Mr. Bocli, it is killing me by inches. I must throw up mj 
engagement and go home at once. " 

You can't do that without Maxim's consent, and I 
very much doubt if he will give it. You are under legal 
contract to him, remember." 

‘‘ What shall I dor" she exclaimed, in a tone of despair.- 
Mr. Boch, you are very powerful, and you are my friend. 
Pray go to Mr. Maxim and beg him to release me. I will 
forfeit any amount he chooses if he will only let me go. I 
have worked for him faithfully till now, but I can work no 
longer. If he insists upon retaining my services, he will 
regret it, for my strength and my brain are failing, and I 
can not do justice to myself." 

In her wild misery Georgie Harrington scarcely appre- 
ciated the extent of the sacrifice she was asking at the 
hands of her admirer; but the young American, with the 
nobility of a hero, accepted the task she set him, and went 
at once to broach the proposal to Mr. Maxim. 


CHAPTER XXIV. 

HOMEWARD BOUND. 

As may be supposed, the manager's first move was to 
refuse altogether to entertain so ridiculous an idea. He 
thought Georgie Harrington must be insane to have asked 
it, and Mr. Boch a little worse than herself to have offered 
to be her messenger. To allow her to throw up her en- 
gagement, and go home at the very moment when he was 
actually coining money through means of her! He had 
never heard of such a thing! 

Hot a bit of it," he said, stoutly; Miss Harrington 
is under contract to me for four months longer, and I don't, 
let her off a single day. And she must be mad, sir, to wish 
for such a thing! Why, I could make that woman's fort- 
une! If she would sign a five years' engagement with me 
I would send her home at the end of the time with more 
money than she would know what to do with. She's the 
greatest success I've ever had in my hands! And now to 
want to run away from me because that rascal she's tied to 
has a finger-ache, or some such rubbish! I won't hear of 
it; and if you were her friend, sir, you would not encourage 
her in such folly!" 


MISS haekimgtok’s husbamd. 


163 


Fm sure I clonH want her to go/^ replied Hiram Boch, 
ruefully. ‘‘ But you clon^’t understand the case, Mr. Max- 
im. Miss Harrington is almost beside herself. Like all 
people with very highly strung organizations, she has col- 
lapsed entirely under the shock. The doctor says she is 
threatened with brain fever, and he will not answer for the 
consequences if she goes on working under so unnatural a 
strain. 

‘‘Pooh! pooh! poohP^ said Maxim, “she wonT break 
down while she has anything to do. She worked well enough 
in England wEile that fellow was bullying her night and 
day. Work is the best thing for her: it will keep her from 
fretting !^^ 

“ But it is the suspense and uncertainty, Mr. Maxim, that 
are likely to do her harm. We have telegraphed twice to 
London to ask how Captain Legh is going on, without re- 
ceiving anjt reply. And his wife concludes from this cir- 
cumstance that he must be dead.^^ 

“ And a good job, too!^^ exclaimed Maxim. 

“ Perhaps I agree with you,'’^ said Boch, sighing, “ but 
we canT make her think so!^^ 

“ Do you mean to tell me she cares for the brute?^^ 

“ So it would appear! If you saw the state of mind she 
is in you would say she did. She barely pulled through 
her business last night. You must have seen that for 
yourself! And I can not imagine how she will do it this 
evening: she seems scarcely able to drag her feet along the 
ground. And what good will it do you, Mr. Maxim, if 
she falls ill, and is unable to appear at allr^^ 

“ What the dickens does she want:^^ grumbled the 
manager. 

“ She asks to be released from her engagement at the 
price of any forfeit, and allowed to return to England to 
see after her husband. That is the plain English of it. 
And I offer myself as guarantee that any loss you may 
suffer by the arrangement will be made up to you!^^ 

The fact of Mr. Boch’s enormous wealth being too well 
known to be disputed, Mr. Maxim condescended, at this 
juncture, to consider whether it might not be better worth 
his while to consent to the |)roposal. 

“ But perhaps you doiiT know what I’m making by her, 
sir, he replied. “We are turning hundreds away from 
the doors nightly, and Lve coined more money since Miss 


164 


MISS HAKR^GTOI^'S HUSBAND. 


Harrington joined me in a week than I could have done irr 
a month with any one else!^^ 

“ All the greater reason that you should be indulgent to 
her in a time like this, Mr. Maxim! Besides, it is not as 
if she wished to leave you for another manager. She only 
asks a few months^ leave, and offers to recoup all losses 
you may incur by it, and I really don^t see why you should 
refuse!’^ 

‘‘ Suppose I put my share of the losses down at two thou- 
sand dollars a week, Mr. Boch — what then?’^ 

‘‘ I think iffs high, but it shall be paid you!’^ replied the 
young man. 

‘‘Will Miss Harrington give me a guarantee to that 
effect?^^ 

“ I will answer for her that she will.’’^ 

‘ ‘ And an agreement that her next engagement shall be 
mine, whether in England or America?^ 

“ Ho! no! How you are going too far! If Miss Har- 
rington defrays your possible losses by the rupture of her 
present engagement, I deny that you have any further 
claim on her. If she consents to enter into any agreement 
with you for the future, you must considerably lower the 
immediate demands you make upon her purse, Mr. Maxim !'’^ 

Mr. Boch, although a millionaire, and the most liberal 
of men, knew the value of money, and was not going to 
let Georgie or himself be cheated out of it. 

“ You see,^^ he went on, in a subdued tone, “ a dozen 
things may crop up to alter her plans. If Captain Legh. 
is dead she may not wish to return to the stage. If he is 
living — they — they may make their quarrels up again, and 
she may not consent to leave him. At any rate, she should 
be free to decide for herself. 

The manager was still unwilling to come to a com- 
promise. 

“ I really doiiT see my way to do it,^^ he said, roughly. 
“ I canT break faith with the public like a woman. I 
have a reputation to maintain, and what I promise I per- 
form. Miss Harrington is bound to remain with me for 
the next four months, and remajn she must!^^ 

Hiram Boch was nettled. 

Under his disappointment Mr. Seth Maxim seemed sud- 
denly to have changed his character, and bound on making 
as good a bargain as he could. 


MISS HARKII^GTOJ^'’S HUSBAND. 165- 

‘‘ Look here, then, Maxim,^^ he said, ‘‘ Miss Harrington 
will go whether you like it or not; and I shall escort her to 
New York! You can bring an action against her for 
breaking her contract, but you can not prevent her leaving 
San Francisco, and she has quite made up her mind to re- 
turn to England. It is for you to decide, therefore, whether 
it will be most to your advantage to rush into law, and to 
take what damages the court may assign you, or to accept 
Miss Harrington^s very liberal offer to pay you any forfeit, 
in reason, which you may choose to impose on her.^^ 

Mr. Maxim, having already had some experience of war- 
ring against women in a country which is invariably on the 
side of the fair sex, thought it would be wiser to close at 
once. 

“ Well, I will accept the terms, then, Mr. Boch. I don’t 
wish to be Hard on Miss Harrington, but I expected tho 
profits to rise every week, and I can’t put them down at 
less than the sum I mentioned — two thousand dollars a 
week.” 

“ For sixteen weeks?” said Hiram Boch. 

“ For sixteen weeks, sir.” 

“ It shall be paid you to-morrow, Mr. Maxim. Mean- 
while you had better see about getting out your bills to an- 
nounce her non-appearance. Put it down to sudden ill- 
ness. You never made a truer excuse in your life.” 

The young American walked back to the hotel and told 
Georgie Harrington that the manager had consented to let 
her off the remainder of her engagement on a forfeit of two 
thousand dollars. Grief had made her so apathetic that 
she did not even notice that the demand w^as very small. 
She drew the check with a trembling hand, and asked Mr. / 
Boch to add one more to his many acts of friendliness by ^ 
settling the matter with Mr. Maxim for her, which he did ^ 
without another word. 

Then Georgie made a terrible effort, and pulled herself 
together for her last appearance. But even the audience 
could see that she was ill, and hardly able to get through 
the part. They applauded her warmly to keep up her 
courage, but their manifestations were of a friendly rather 
than a congratulatory character. 

“ If I made many more such appearances,” she said to 
Maxim, with a ghastly smile, as she came off, “I should 
lose all the prestige I have gained.” 


166 MISS HAREIMCtTON'S husbamd. 

And he answered: 

“ Get home as quickly as you can, Miss Harrington. I 
see now that you are really ill.'’’ 

“You have been very good to me, Mr. Maxim,” she 
murmured, “ and if ever I can make it up to you in the 
future I will.” 

“ Yes, yes, Maxim knows all that,’-’ interposed Hiram 
Boch, hurriedly. He had been hovering around all the 
evening, dreading lest there should be an explanation be- 
tween them by which Georgie should discover the share he 
had taken in the settlement of her business affairs. “ Here 
is your dresser. Miss Harrington. Now get as soon as you 
can to your room, and I will wait to see you home. ” 

In like manner he arranged everytliing for her traveling 
back to New York, telegraphed to Mrs. Lousada-Lorens to 
say she was on the road, and accomiianied her to her desti- 
nation. 

Georgie was infinitely grateful to him, but she was not 
in the mood to show her gratitude. She sat like a statue 
in the train, and only eat and drank when food was forced 
upon her. They had given the same excuse to Mrs. 
Lousada-Lorens that the public had been compelled to ac- 
cept from her, namely, that sudden illness was the reason of 
her unexpected return. But when she reached New York, 
and met her friends face to face, she found it impossible to 
keep up the deception. And as they learned the truth 
everybody turned, so it seemed to Georgie, against her. 

Mrs. Lousada-Lorens was loud in declaiming against the 
step she was taking. To throw up all her brilliant pros- 
pects, to abandon her American career at the very com- 
mencement, and in order to return to a man who had so 
ill-used her! It was not only wicked, it was degrading: 
and in her indignation Mrs. Lousada-Lorens went so far as 
to declare she would never speak to her again if she per- 
sisted in her determination. 

Louise Fletcher was not so vehement as the American 
lady: but she argued incessantly with Georgie against her 
design. “ What was the use,” she plaintively demanded, 
“ of her going back to a man who didn’t want her: They 
could never be happy together. Georgie knew what his 
temper was. Did she suppose he was likely to alter? They 
would not live together three months; and the second sep- 
aration would be much w^orse than the first.” 


3IISS harrikgton's husbakd. 167 

Even Sissy cried when she heard they were going home 
again, and Rachel looked grave, and neither of them dis- 
played the least sympathy for the master of the house, lying 
smitten down with so sore a sickness. 

But Georgie was resolute, and nothing they could say or 
do shook her determination. She had written to Captain 
Legh from San Francisco, just a few simi^le lines, to tell 
him she was coming: 

‘‘ Dear Gerard, — I have just heard that you are ill, 
and I am coming home by the Ounard steamer of the 
fifteenth of November. I have thrown up my engagement, 
and a kind friend of mine here has seen to all the arrange- 
ments for my return. Pray send a line to Queenstown to 
tell me your present address, and I will join you there. 

“Believe me, 

“ Your affectionate wife, 

“ G. Harris gto2s^-Legh. 

She believed that this letter (if it ever reached him) 
woidd tell Gerard all she wished him to know. She thought 
that he must guess, from the mere fact of her writing after 
so long a silence, that she was desirous to ignore the past, 
and begin. her married life over agam with him. 

She calculated that her letter would arrive in England a 
week before herself, and she almost expected that her hus- 
band would meet her at Queenstown instead of writing, as 
she had desired him to do. 

They had been separated for more than a year. Surely, 
with reflection must have come a calmer judgment if not 
repentance, and Gerard would be as glad to sign a treaty 
of peace as herself. 

“ If — that was to say — if he lived to receive her. Oh, 
how that dreadful “if^^ intruded on all her pleasurable 
anticipations! Had it not been for the doubt of her hus- 
band being still in existence she would have looked forward 
to a certain reconciliation. For she had forgotten every- 
thing — ^his treatment of her in the past, the proofs she held 
of his conduct in the present — in the knowledge that he 
was ill and she was not there to nurse him. 

The preparations for her departure proceeded rapidly, 
and at the last moment she found that Louise Fletcher in- 
tended to cross in the same steamer. 

Notwithstanding Georgie^’s advocacy, Mrs. Fletcher had 


168 


MISS HARKIK-GTOM^S HL'SBAND. 


had some unpleasant scenes wfch her husband respecting 
Mr. Charlie Eandall, which had resulted in Mr. Fletcher 
declaring she must either travel on tour with him or return 
to England. 

A few months ago Georgie would have been as pleased 
with this arrangement as she was at the news that they 
were to be companions on the voyage out; now she seemed 
quite indifferent whether Louise accompanied her or not. 

Perhaps the person on whom her unusual mood fell 
hardest was Hiram Boch, who longed so much to keep her 
in America and yet had been the primary agent for her 
leaving it. 

Ill days to come Georgie would recall and be grateful for 
the trouble he took for her on the occasion, and the noble 
unselfishness with which he thrust himself and his own 
feelings in the background, and thought only of the wishes 
and comfort of the woman he loved. But now she shrunk 
from him almost guiltily, as she thought that she had even 
contemplated the possibility of putting him in Gerardos 
■stead. * 

Even as he wished her farewell on board the steamer she 
could only thank him with a deep sigh for all he had done 
for her, and had not one word of hope to give liim for the 
future. But he hid his disappointment bravely, and would 
not let her see how much it hurt him. 

He stood on the wharf, watching the steamer put out to 
sea with the expression of a man who sees his best posses- 
sions sink beneath the waves; and when she was a speck in 
the distance he turned away with a dry eye and a careless 
-laugh, and rushed wildly about New York to see what new 
dissipation he could find wherewith to distract his memory 
from dwelling on the past. 

There was not a truer hero living than this American 
gentleman, whom the world believed to cherish no deeper 
ambition than was evoked by yachts and race-horses. 

The voyage was a quick and prosperous one, and at the 
appointed time they reached Queenstown. 

Georgie was all excitement and anticipation. She could 
not, iDoidd not believe that her husband was dead until she 
read the fatal announcement in black and white; and, as if 
to reward her faith, a letter in his familiar writing was put 
into her hand as soon as the tender came alongside. 

Thank Heaven,^^ she cried, hysterically, as she re- 


MISS HAREIIs^GTON’S husbakd. 169 

ceiveci it,- ‘‘ he is safe and well! All wdll be right between 
us nowT^ 

She would not trust herself to peruse it in public, but- 
ran, with a fast-beating heart, to the shelter of her "cabin, 
and, tearing open the envelope, seized the sheet of paper it 
contained, and read as follows: 

“ I am surprised beyond measure at the communication 
which I have received from you. After having left me for 
more than a twelvemonth to shift for myself you now offer 
to return to live with me. I declme the offer, I have let 
my house and am hving in chambers — where, it is quite un- 
necessary for you to know. I do not misunderstand the 
intentions of the ‘ kind friend ^ who accompanied you to 
New York. It is not the first time he has been brought 
under my notice. The best advice I can give you is to go 
back to himr as there is certainly no welcome for you here* 

“ G. Legh. 

The letter was written on his club paper, and that was 
all the clew he gave her. 


CHAPTER XXV. 

GOIIS^G TOO FAR. 

Oaptaik Legh had let his house in consequence of hav- 
ing a serious dispute with Marian Lacy. The young lady 
had exceeded her privileges. Ceasing to interest herself ex- 
clusively in the making of coffee and buttering of toast, 
she took to questioning Georgie^s husband rather sharply 
as to where he had been and whom he had seen, and, from 
being a confidante, transformed herself into a mentor; and 
this was a sort of espionage which Gerard Legh had ever 
been impatient of, even with those who had a right to in- 
quire into his 'private affairs. It may be supposed, there- 
fore, that he was not likely to gratify Miss Lacy^s curiosity. 

One morning he told her cursorily that he was invited to 
Hatleigh House to stay with Lord and Lady Henry 
Masham, and should proceed there the following week. 

‘‘ For long?'’^ asked Marian. 

“ I doiiT know; it depends upon whether I am bored or 
not. Lady Henry has some private theatricals in her head, 
I believe, and the party may prove a pleasant one.^^ 


170 


MISS HAHRIIs'GTOJs'^S HUSBAND. 


‘‘How charming exclaimed Miss Lacy, enthusiastic- 
ally. “ I know of nothing more delightful than theatricals 
ill "a country house; they bring people together, and make 
them so sociable — a common bond that interests them alll^^ 

“ I expect I shall be more interested in the birds than 
the theatricals!^^ grumbled Captain Legh. “ I^veseen too 
much of the real thing to care about the imitation: and I 
begin to loathe the very name of a theater and everything 
connected with it!^^ he added, fiercely. 

“ How I do wish— commenced Marian. 

“ What do you wish?^^ 

She stopped' short, hardly daring to tell him. 

It was the dream of her life to be invited down to Hat- 
leigh and meet all the big people who assembled there; 
and slie had hoped that her proximity to Gerard Legh 
might procure her this jileasure. But nothing had been 
done toward it yet. 

Lady Henryks first visit to the house was her last, and 
the result of it lay in the present fact, that Captain Legh 
had received an invitation to join their autumn party, and 
not a hint had been drojiped concerning Miss Lacy. 

“ Why can^t you say a thing straight out?^^ continued 
Captain Legh, rather brusquely. “ I hate beating about 
the bush.^^ 

“ Well, then, I wdsh I could go to Hatleigh with you. 

. “ Oh, that^s it! I don^t supjiose yoiikl enjoy yours'elf 
much though, for theyh’e all strangers to you.^^ 

“ I should soon make friends with them.^^ 

“You might. But it^s not always so easy. People of 
that class are apt to look askance at any one not moving in 
their own set.'^^ 


“ They used to be friendly enough with Georgie.^^ 

“ That was different. They kow-towed to her on account 
of her reputation. 

“ CouldnT yo%i get me an invitation, Gerard?^ ^ 

Captain Legh looked annoyed. 

“ Impossible! I doiiT know Lady Henry w^ell enough. 

“ I thought you were so intimate with them?’^ 

“You may be intimate with people without having the 
audacity to dictate what names they shall iuclude in their 
invitation-list. Besides, when Lady Henry has private 
theatricals she only asks those guests who take part in the 


MISS HAERIljTGrON^S HUSBAND. 171 

“ But yon can’t act. ” 

“lam alluding to ladies, of course; men don’t count. 
I am going down for the partridge-shooting more than for 
the other thing.” 

“But /can act, Gerard, as you know. Don’t you re- 
member my performance in ‘ A Scrap of Paper, ’ at the 
Tyndall’s?” 

“ Perfectly well. ” 

“You complimented me very highly on that occasion, 
and said I ought to have been on the stage like Georgie. ” 

“ I dare say I did. It’s a good thing for you, though, 
that you kept off.” 

“ But what I mean is, that I am quite competent to take 
a part in Lady Henry’s theatricals.” 

“ I bave no doubt that you would be the best actress 
there. ” 

“ Then why can’t you give her a hint on the subject?” 

“ Because I am not her ladyship’s acting-manager, in 
the first place; and the members of my own household are 
the last people I should try to thrust under her notice, in 
the second. ” 

“ It’s very tiresome of you, Gerard. I should have 
thought you might have done so much for me.” 

“ I am sorry you think me disobliging; but I have really 
nothing to do with Lady Henry’s arrangements. You for- 
get, I am only a guest myself. Added to which, to tell you 
the plain truth, I don’t think she would take very kindly 
to you, from the mere fact of your being my wife’s cousin. 
She is so thoroughly disgusted with the way Georgie has be- 
haved to me.” 

“ Disgusted with Georgie!” cried Marian, shrilly; “well, 
that is good. Why, Lady Henry never could say enough 
against yoii^, when she came to call here. I’ve heard her 
abuse you by the hour. If you said she was disgusted with 
yourself it would be more to the purpose.” 

Gerard Legh grew red with indignation. 

“ Please to remember to whom you are speaking, Marian. 
If Lady Henry ever expressed herself in the manner you 
mention, it must have been because things had been mis- 
represented to her; she had only heard one side, remem- 
ber. When I told her the real state of the case, she soon 
altered her tone.” 

“IShe’s as fickle as the wind,” rejilied Marian, “and 


17S MISS HARRIXGTON^S HUSBAJ^'D. 

Teers round to a fresh quarter each minute. When your 
wife returns, and her ladyship wants a box, for which she 
is too stingy to pay, she will rush to her ‘ dearest Miss Har- 
rington to procure it.-’^ 

“ I am not likely to hear of it, if she does, said Captain 
Legh, coldly, as he turned on his heel and left her. 

Marian Lacy had, remarked for some time past that any 
reference to her cousin inyariably produced the same effect. 
Captain Legh seemed to wish to avoid even the mention of 
his wife^s name. 

Tilts conversation did not leave her in an amiable frame 
of mind toward Lady Henry Masham or the contemplated 
visit, and she never heard either of them alluded to with- 
out having some sarcastic observation to make on the sub- 
ject. 

Some few days afterward, whilst she was shopping at a 
West-end emporium, she came upon Miss Sylvia March- 
mont, choosing ribbons and laces, and chatting excitedly 
with the young man behind the counter. As soon as she 
caught sight of Marian Lacy she bore down upon her. 

“ Oh! dear Miss Lacy, how are you? Ho help me to 
choose these ribbons. TheyTe for a fawn-colored tea- 
gown. Shall I trim it with a match or a contrast?^ ^ 

Marian gave her opinion on the subject, to which Sylvia 
scarcely listened, as she rattled on : 

“ I sujipose youVe heard that I^m going to Lady Henry 
Masham^s on Monday next; woiiTit be jolly? I am to play 
the juvenile lead in both their pieces. Not professionally, 
you know; I go as a visitor; but of course you have been 
told of it. 

‘‘ No, indeed I have not; who should tell me?^^ 

Sylvia ojiened her big, round, meaningless eyes. 

“Why, Captain Legh! He sent me the invitation. 
W^asiiT it sweet of him? You see, I wanted to get into 
Hatleigh House mvfidly. They have such tiptop swells 
there, and you never know what may turn up for a girl 
like me. But I didiiT wish to go professionally; people 
treat you differently if they hear that; so, as lam ^ resting ^ 
just now. Captain Legh gave me a bit of puff,, you know, 
to Lady Heniy, and she sent me an invitation — through 
him— rby the next post. I expect he did it, you know,^ ^ 
continued Sylvia, ’with a nudge of Marianas elbow, “ for 
Lady Henry said something about him in her letter; and 


MISS HARRIHGTON^S HUSBAKD. 


173 


lie is so intimate at Hatleigh he can do anything he chooses 
in that way/^ 

Marian Lacy listened to this tirade for awhile in silence. 
She was turning hot and cold with envy and malice; and 
she dared not speak lest she should betray her feelings. 
But when Sylvia^s chatter had ceased for awhile, she said: 

“ 1 have no doubt it was Captain Legh^s recommenda- 
tion that did it; but I don’t think it is anything to be proud 
of to be asked to play for nothing for a stingy old woman, 
who won’t give a single fee if she can help it. Lady Henry 
would spoil her theatricals sooner than part with her 
money.” 

‘‘Oh! come now,” cried Sylvia, “ you know you’d give 
jour eyes to be going in my stead. But it’s awfully expen- 
sive, just at the end of the season. I’ve had to get almost 
everything new.” 

Marian would listen to no more, but flounced out of the 
shop, whilst Sylvia nodded significantly to the young man 
behind the counter, and said: 

“ I fancy that riled her.” 

Miss Lacy walked home in a state of the utmost perturba- 
tion. 

Sylvia March mont had obtained that which she had been 
refused. It was shameful! — disgraceful! Captain Legh 
was making his partiality for the pretty, silly little actress 
.a great deal too patent to the world. For poor Georgie’s 
sake she ought to try and put a stop to it, and she would. 
Hot another day should pass without her speaking to Ger- 
ard on the subject. 

She fussed and fumed over the information she had re- 
ceived until she made herself quite ill, and having to wait 
until the evening to meet Gerard Legh rather increased her 
wrath than cooled it. 

She contrived to sulk in silence until the cloth was re- 
moved from the dinner- table, but directly they found them- 
selves alone she flew straight at him. 

“ Gerard^ I wish to speak to you!” 

“ Very good! I am listening,” replied Captain Legh, 
as he lighted a cigar. 

“ I asked you the other day to get me an invitation to 
Lady Henry Masham’s, and you refused!” 

“I did!” 

“ On the score of not being intimate enough!” 


174 MISS harkixgton\s husband. 

On the score, also, of not wishing to introduce you 
there. Go on.'’^ 

And now I find that you have done the very thing you 
refused to me for Sylvia Marchmont. You needn^t deny 
it! I met her while shopping this morning, and she told 
me the whole story. 

“ I have no intention of den3dng it! Miss Marchmont 
only spoke the truth. Lady Henry has invited her to Hat- 
leigh. 

‘‘ And you asked her to do so!’^ 

“ I asked her to do so,’^ he repeated, with the most pro- 
voking coolness. 

‘‘ And you are not ashamed of yourself?’^ 

“ I am not aware what I have done to be ashamed oL 
Miss Marchmont goes there in the capacity of an actress to 
assist in getting up the plays. She is pretty and clever, 
and will do all that is required of her. Why ^ould you 
fly out at me about it?’"’ 

“ Because you know perfectly well,’^ panted Marian, 
who was gray with rage, “ that you are only saying all this 
in order to blind me to the truth. Do you suppose Lady 
Henry could not have found a dozen actresses to jump at 
her offer? But you single out Sylvia Marchmont and ask 
her to invite her. As if all the world could not see througk 
so transparent a rtise 

“ I really don^t knoyv what you are driving at!^^ said 
Captain Legh, with a yawn. 

“ I will soon tell you. People are talking a great deal 
too much about you and Sylvia Marchmont. You flirted 
with her shamefully, even before your poor wife went to 
America. 

‘‘Look here!^^ said Captain Legh, calmly, though he 
was working up for a storm, “ you can say what you like 
to me; I don^t care for a woman ^s clatter any more than 
for the pattering of rain on my window. But I forbid you 
to bring my wife^s name into the discussion. She has de- 
serted me, and has nothing whatever to do with it!^^ 

“That is absurd, and you know it!"*^ retorted Marian. 
“ Georgie has no more deserted you than I have. But if 
you kick a dog you must expect it to run away. At any 
rate, her absence can not loosen the ties between you, and 
you are still accountable to the law for your actions. And 
if you donT take care youTl find yourself in a scrape. 


MISS haebixgtom's husband. 175 

‘‘ Is that intended for a threat?’^ he demanded, as he 
rose from his chair. 

“You may take it for what you like, but if you persist 
in parading your partiality for Miss Marchmont before the 
world, I will see that our family is not insulted more than 
it need be!^^ 

“How dare you speak to me like this, and in my own 
bouse exclaimed Captain Legh, angrily. “ Am I never 
to have a lady acquaintance without being subjected to 
abuse from your slanderous tongue? Tliis is more than 
any man can stand 

“ Oh, yes, a nice acquaintance,^^ sneered Miss Lacy. 

Do you suppose anybody would be hoodwinked by such a 
lame excuse? If Lady Henry Masham is, she ought to be 
undeceived. 

“By Jove!^^ cried Gerard Legh, “if you attempt to 
spread aiTy of your scandal there 1^11 — 

“ What will you do?^^ she asked, defiantly. 

“ I am Wrong. I didn^t think what I was saying, he 
replied, almost apologetically. “ But it will be a bad day 
lor- you when you attempt to interfere in my aJffairs.^^ 

“ I understand. I am nothing compared to this Sylvia 
Marchmont — a low-bred, second-rate actress, that Georgie 
only admitted to her house on sufferance. Your own 
cousin by marriage must go to the wall to make room for 
her.^^ 

“ I have already told you that when I married my wife 
— bad luck to it! — I did not undertake to many the entire 
family. One of such a stock is more than sufficient for 
me. And whilst you treat me to such scenes as these in 
the house, you must not be surprised -to see me glad to get 
out of it. Good-night. 

He tried to pass her and gain the door, but she barred 
bis egress. 

“ Gerard, I would have been so glad to go with you in- 
stead of Sylvia 

“ I dare say you would; but I didn^t see it. Be warned 
in time, Marian. You are going too far; and if I have any 
more of it I shall cut the business altogether.-’^ 

He left her wdthout another word, and Marian felt that, 
as far as Hatleigh was concerned, the game was lost. The 
conviction made her sore and aggressive. She snapped at 
tthe servants, and quarreled with her mother, and wandered 


176 


MISS HARRINGTON'S HUSBAND. 


about the house moodily, until she found herself in Captain 
Legh's sanctum—a little back room, in which he kept his: 
pipes and tobacco, and a writing-table covered with papers. 

Marian had already gained access to much of his private 
correspondence because of his carelessness in leaving things 
about; and as she entered the room that evening, she per- 
ceived his bunch of keys hanging in the lock of the drawer. 

Here was an opportunity to find out his secrets, and she 
was just in the mood to avail herself of it. She turned up 
the gas and secured the door, and sat herself down for a 
thorough inspection. After reading one or two trivial let- 
ters from various acquaintances, she came upon his diary 
— a little green-covered volume, in which Captain Legh 
usually noted his engagements. She opened the leaves^ 
and grew green with jealousy as she perused their contents- 

Then a sudden thought struck her. She would have her 
revenge. Georgie should receive the proofs of her hus- 
band^s misconduct in his own handwriting. At first she 
determined to send her the book; but on second thoughts 
that seemed too dangerous. Gerard might miss it at once, 
and trace the robbery to her. She would extract the leaves 
that bore the most suspicious entries, and inclose them to 
her cousin anonymously. 

It was no sooner thought of than done. With a sharp 
penknife she cut the pages close to the binding so that their 
loss was scarcely perceptible, wrote a few words on them in 
a feigned hand, inclosed them in an envelope addressed to 
Georgie, and dispatched it by that night ^s post to an old 
servant in the North who could not read, with directions 
that she should drop it in the letter-box. 

When the deed was done beyond recall, Marian Lacy 
began to feel uncomfortable about it. She was afraid 
every moment lest Captain Legh would discover the loss 
and tax her with it; but nothing of the sort occurred. Ho 
was very cool to her for the remainder of his stay in Lon- 
don, and she felt that some change was impending. 

She was not so astonished, therefore, as her mother, when, a 
few days after liis departure for Hatleigh, he sent a letter to 
inform Mrs. Lacy that he had decided upon letting his house; 
had placed it, indeed, for that purpose in the agent's hands, 
and trusted she would not find it inconvenient to look for 
another home. 

‘‘Going to let the house!" ejaculated Mrs. Lacy.. 


MISS HARRIXCtTON'’S husband. 177 

‘‘ "Why, how preposterous! Where is he going to live? 
And who will look after his comforts and his housekeep- 
ing, Marian, as you and I have done?^^ 

“ Oh, never mind, mamma, rejoined the young lady, 
fretfully. ‘‘If he chooses to be uncomfortable what does 
it signify to us? We shall be much happier in rooms by 
ourselves. I hate being at a man’s beck and call!” 

“ Why, I thought you were so attached to Captain Legh, 
my dear!” 

Marian grew red, as she answered: 

“ Well, naturally I have felt interested in him as Georgie’s 
husband, but my interest can not go further than his own. 
And after all I am not quite*sure if we did the wisest thing 
in coming here. People may think we are entirely on his 
side and have deserted hers. And by and by when she 
comes home with twice the name, perhaps, she took out 
with her, we shall look very small if she refuses to notice 
us. So I am glad, mamma, he has decided to let the 
house. It gives us an excuse to leave him, which might 
have been difficult to find. And we mustn’t forget that 
Georgie Harrington is our real relation, not Captain Legh, 
and if it comes to a final separation between them, it will 
be our duty to stick to her. ’ ’ 


CHAPTEE XXVI. 

PEIVATE THEATKICALS. 

Lady Henry Masham, besides being an amateur act- 
ress of social celebrity, was also a dramatic author in her 
way — that is to say, she wrote plays, although they never 
appeared upon the public stage. But she was rich enough 
to be able to counteract so trifling a drawback. She had a 
charming little theater erected in the rear of Hatleigh 
House, where her friends and she threw all their histrionic 
powers into presenting the melodramas and tragedies that 
issued from her fertile brain. Nor did they lack an audi- 
ence, for not only was Hatleigh filled with guests from attic 
to basement on such occasions, but on the nights of per- 
formance the neighboring families were asked from far and 
near, until the auditorium was full to overflowing. 

At such times Lady Henry was in her glory. She had 
generally a sprinkling of professionals amongst her guests^ 


178 


MISS haerixgton’s husbato. 


and always a good stage-manager to put the whole thing 
into w'orking order. 

When Captain Legh arrived there in the present autumn 
he found that preparations were being made for the theatric- 
als on a grander scale than usual. 

Lady Henryks last literary effort — a melodrama entitled 

Lost for Love — was to be produced, and the superin- 
tendence of the scenery and effects was taking up all her 
time. A scene-painter was employed on the pi’emises, 
daubing canvas from morning till night, and half a dozen 
wardrobe-women were stitching for dear life at the dresses. 
Every other person seemed to have a written part in his 
hand, which he studied furtively in odd moments, and no 
other subject was thought of or discussed than the success 
of the coming melodrama. 

Tlie company, though very pleasant, was decidedly 
mixed. Lady Henry made a little king of Mr. Thompson, 
the stage-manager, who sat on her right hand at the din- 
ner-table, and followed her about the house like her shadow. 

Sir Fulke and Lady Greville were of course amongst the 
guests. Sir Fulke pedantic, domineering, and self-confi- 
dent, as a man is apt to become when a leader of society 
has rendered him notorious; and his wife, a quietly dressed, 
silent, depressed woman, who looked as if she knew she had 
been worsted in the battle of marriage, but had lost all in- 
terest in fighting for herself. 

There were the famous Miss Fischers too — three lovely 
sisters, all equally beautiful, fast, and forward; and Arthur 
Helstone, commonly called Soapy Helstone,^^ the 
d.ramatic critic. The Duke and Duchess of Longtoun 
rubbed elbows with Mrs. Bradley, the lessee of the Park 
Lane Theater, whose antecedents were as shady as her pro- 
fessional career had been bright ; and Mademoiselle Artesine, 
of the Varietes, Paris, about whom no one knew anything 
at all, was taken in nightly to dinner by Mr. Martin D. G. 
Oppenstael, the great American banker, who was perfectly 
fascinated by the charms of the vivacious French w^oman. 

Peers and peasants, artists and patrons, jostled each other 
in the heterogeneous crowff Lady Henry had gathered 
together at Hatleigh House; but though her party was de- 
cidedly Bohemian, it was thoroughly enjoyable, and every 
one beamed with good-temper and amusement. 

Gerard Legh alone walked amongst this motley crew like 


179 


3IISS HAREIJsGTON'S husbakd. 

a Banquo at the feast. Lord Henry declared he was as 
good as ever in the shooting-field, and tramped over the 
turnips long after the rest of the men had given iii. But 
every one in the house thought him painfully changed, 
physically as well as morally. Always pale, liis complex- 
ion had now assumed a waxen hue, which was not healthy. 
His handsome eyes were sunk, and had a violet tinge be- 
neath them, and his appetite had almost deserted him. 

It was not until the business of the day was over, and 
the cigars were lighted, and the whisky toddy brewed in the 
smoking-room, th^at he appeared to wake up and show any 
signs of his former self. Then indeed his laugh was louder, 
his story more comical, and his wit keener than that of his 
companions. But the mood did not last long; and when it 
faded it left nim with a deeper cloud upon his brow than 
before. His disposition, too, seemed to have altered. He 
was as courteous as ever — at times as well disposed for flirt- 
ing^ — but he was far more silent and reserved than he had 
been wont to be, and he carefully avoided all mention of 
his wife. In so mixed a company, however — many of the 
members of which had known her for years — it was impos- 
sible but that he should be constantly annoyed by hearing 
her name — indeed the majority thought he would beolfend- 
ed if they did not mention her. 

“Ah, Captain Legh!^^ exclaimed Mr. Thompson, the 
first time they encountered each other; “ glad to meet you 
Ihn sure! Charming assembly, isiTt it? What a pity Miss 
Harrington is not here! How is she? AVhen did you hear 
from her last? I’ve read all about her American triumphs 
of course. She seems to have hit them up in California! 
But I knew she would. Splendid actress, sir! We have 
no one who can touch her in sympathetic parts. When do 
you expect her back again?” 

“lam not sure. It is not decided, ’’replied Legh, care- 
lessly. 

“Ah, you must miss her I know. But she belongs to 
the world, sir, more than to you. If you marry a public 
favorite you must consent ^o give her up to the public. ” 

“ So I have found, to my cost,” he answered. 

“ It’s stiff at first, isn’t it? I remember when Mrs. 
Thompson left me after a week’s honey-moon, to resume 
her provincial tour, I felt very queer about it. But it’s. 


180 


MISS HAREIKCtTOK'S HUSBAK-D. 


made up for by the meeting. Only fancy how glad you 11 
be to get together again. I envy you the very idea."’"’ 

Captain Legh was pulling his mustache, and wondering 
what he should say in answer, when his hostess hurried uj) 
to him. 

Captain Legh, that little friend of yours, Sylvia March- 
mont, has just arrived. I tliink I once met her in your 
wife's house; but she is prettier off the stage than on. 
'Now what am I to cast her for? What can she do?" 

“ Anything, I fancy, that you may require of her. She 
is a very clever little girl!" 

She played juvenile comedy at the Delphian, didn't 
she? I fancy I remember her as a fisher-maiden in ‘ The 
Siren.' " 

‘‘ True; but she is good all round. I am sure you may 
trust her with melodrama. And she is pretty enough to 
ornament any stage." 

Ah, you naughty man, I expect you found that out 
before you asked me to invite her! But I won't have any 
flirting here remember. We are assembled for work, and 
not for play. But," continued her ladyship, lowering her 
voice, “ is it really true that you and Miss Harrington are 
not going to live together again?" 

Gerard Legh winced as he answered: 

‘‘Quite true. We came to the conclusion before we 
parted. " 

“ It's very sad; but perhaps it's better so," said Lady 
Heniy, soothingly. “ When people don't get on well 
together I always say let them part. And Miss Harring- 
ton's temper is very high I am told. It's a shocking mis- 
take in a woman to have a temper! I always keep mine in 
my pocket before Lord Henry. What plans have you 
made for the future?" 

“ Positively none. Lady Henry. I don't seem to have 
grown sufficiently accustomed to the new state of affairs 
yet. And Mrs. Lacy is keeping my house for me at pres- 
ent. " 

“ Why do you retain that house? You would be much 
more comfortable in chambers.^ 

“ What could I do with it. Lady Henry? I believe we 
hold it on a twenty-one years' lease. " 

“ Let it furnished; it will command a good rental and 


MISS HARRINGTON^S HUSBAND. 181 

leave you iree. Don^t let those Lacys have all the ad- 
vantage of it. They are actually sponging upon you.'’^ 

“ I don’t quite see how 1 could turn them out.” 

Oh, you men — you men! How horribly helpless you 
are! Write and tell the old woman you have decided to let 
your house, and stay with us till she has cleared out of it. ” 
You are exceedingly kind. Lady Heniy.” 

“No, I’m not. I like you,” replied her ladyship, with 
that sweet, child-like frankness which women of society so 
frequently assume toward the other sex, “ and I want to 
help you out of this dilemma if I can. I think you have 
been very badly used. ” 

“Indeed you are mistaken,” he answered, lightly, for 
he was too proud a man to bewail his misfortunes in public. 
■“ It was a mutual agreement between us, and suited one 
as well as it did the other. ” 

“ Well, then, I think Miss Harrington showed shocking 
bad taste, and didn’t deserve to have so good-looking a hus- 
band,” replied Lady Henry; “ but we won’t talk of it any 
more. ” 

“ I wish you wouldn’t. Lady Henry. The subject is a 
very distasteful one to me.” 

“ It is banished from this moment,” cried her ladyship, 
theatrically; “ but as you are unattached. Captain Legh, I 
shall expect you to be my own particular cavalier and aid- 
de-camp during tliis visit, and help me with all your power 
to entertain these people. I tremble when I think of what 
lies before me.” 

“ I shall be only too proud to be of any assistance to 
you.” 

“ Then take pity on me. Captain Legh, and play my 
lover in the opening piece. ” 

“I! My dear Lady Henry! I have never stepped on the 
stage in my life. ” 

. “ That is no reason why you should not do so now. I 
,am sure you would make a most chdccmmg jeime premier i * 

“ More likely I should spoil the whole concern. I have 
.no more notion of acting than a table.” 

“ It does not require any acting. It is the role of a 
young officer. You simply have to walk on the stage and 
be yourself. Come, Captain Legh, do let me persuSe you 
to try — for my sake. ” 


182 


MISS HARRINGTON'S HUSBAND. 

“ I would do anything for your ladyship’s sake that it is 
possible for me to do; but this I fear is impossible. ” 

And I am just as certain it is 7iot. You will promise 
me to read the part, at all events, before you decide?” 

“There is no harm in my promising that” returned 
Captain Legh. 

“ Then I shall consider it settled. For to tell you the 
truth,” continued Lady Henry, in an under-tone, “ poor 
dear Sir Fulke is getting a little too fat to play the very 
young man. Oh, I am delighted to have gained "the prom- 
ise of your assistance; and we will cast little Marchmonk 
for the soubrette^s part. It will be the very thing for her. ” 

The interest evinced in him by liis hostess, however, be- 
came, after awhile, rather a subject of annoyance to Ger- 
ard Legh. 

She forced Kim, against his will, into the cast for her 
comedietta, and kept him rehearsing the love-scenes morn-^ 
ing, noon and night. 

Her conduct soon aroused the jealousy of Sylvia March- 
mont, who had learned, during the past season, to look 
upon Gerard Legh as her 'preax-chevalier. 

He found himself in a hornets’ nest between them. He 
could not resent the kindness of his hostess, or show in- 
difference to her wishes. At the same time, he found it 
difficult to soothe the indignation of Sylvia at seeing herself 
neglected for the lady of the house. 

Sylvia didn’t like either of the parts for which she had 
been cast; she was certain they had been chosen with the- 
view to obscuring her ability. The piece was stupid, and 
her dresses were hideous; above all> she was indignant that 
Lady Henry should monopolize Captain Legh’s attention, 
and make love to him on the stage as well as off; whilst 
she, Sylvia, was nowhere. In fine, she wished she had 
never come to the horrid place at all, and she had a great 
mind to go home again before the theatricals were over; 
and Captain Legh found it almost impossible to console 
her. 

“ My dear girl,” he exclaimed, “ you are making a great 
fuss about nothing at all! Lady Henry simply requires my 
services for this beastly comedietta; but lam bound to give 
them whenever she demands them. ” 

“ It is not true,” sobbed Sylvia; “ she monopolizes you 
wherever you are; and she kisses you at rehearsals! I’ve 


MISS hakrington’s husbakd. 183 

^een her do it. As if anyhody ever kissed at rehearsal! it^s 
perfectly disgusting!’^ 

‘‘ To tell you the truth, I feel very much inclined to say 
the same thing,” replied Gerard, ruefully; ‘‘but I can’t 
decline, can I, Sylvia? I owe so much, at least, to my 
hostess. ” 

“It strikes me you owe a great deal too much to your 
hostess,” grumbled Sylvia; “ you never came near me once 
all last evening! There was that horrid old duke, with his 
yellow teeth, talking to me till I was bored to death, and 
when I looked to you for rescue you were leaning over Lady 
Henry’s chair ; I wonder you can have such bad taste. Her 
complexion’s as rough as a nutmeg -grater — you can see it 
under the paint — and her hair’s a wig — she has it from 
Fox, for he told me so. ” 

“ Poor Little girl,” said Captain Legh, laughing; “ it’s a 
terrible list of woes, isn’t it? Well, if it will be any com- 
fort to you to know, Sylvia, I don’t admire the complexion 
nor the wig! I prefer these blooming cheeks, and this fluffy 
mass of brown hair, a thousand times over. But we 
mustn’s let Lady Henry guess that, or we shall get turned 
out of Hatleigh House forever.” 


CHAPTER XXVIL 

THE RIVALS. 

As the day drew near for the performance of the theatric- 
als Captain Legh wished more and more that he had never 
been so foolish as to let himself be drawn into taking a part 
in them. 

He had no more idea of acting than his walking-stick, 
and he was not only conscious of it himself, but he saw that 
everybody else was conscious of it also. 

Sir Eulke Greville, who was a finished actor, and was 
rather nettled at Lady Henry’s attention being so much 
divided between himself and the debutant^ took good care 
to let her know what he thought of Captain Legh’s capa- 
bilities, and the sarcasms did not fail to reach his ears. 

He implored his hostess to let him off in vain. Lady 
Henry had conceived a liking for him personally, and was 
determined that no one else should figure as her lover in 
the comedietta. 


184 MISS hakrikgtok's husband. 

Gerard Legli looked handsome and gentlemanly on the 
stage. He could cross a room gracefully, and speak his 
lines, and that was all she required of him. 

So he had to submit to be dressed in a costume of the 
time of Charles II., and to pose for the amusement of the 
audience. 

He felt he had permitted himself to be caught in a net, 
from which it was unlikely he' should be rescued without 
making himself ridiculous. But no one else came forward 
to relieve him of the task, and so he resolved to execute it 
with all the equanimity of which he was capable. 

Sylvia Marchmont played the third character in the 
comedietta — that of the usual chamber-maid, who is con- 
veniently at hand whenever she is wanted, and takes ad- 
vantage of the temporary absence of her master and mis- 
tress to execute a song and dance in the drawing-room. 

She had, therefore, to wait at the wings throughout the 
little piece, and had every opportunity to watch the pro- 
ceedings of the lovers engaged upon the stage. 

Her jealousy had been aroused by Lady Henry’s behavior 
to Gerard Legh during the rehearsals. It was still more 
aggravated by what took place on the night of the perform- 
ance. 

Lady Henry Masham, who was really an artiste, not only 
felt at liberty, whilst under the disguise of her stage char- 
acter, to give full play to her feelings, but actually threw 
an extra warmth into gesture and action, in order to en- 
courage and stimulate her somewhat passive lover. Since 
Captain Legh could only take up the positions she had 
taught him, and speak his words, she felt obliged to cover 
his deficiencies by doing all the love-making for him. 

But Sylvia, watching from the wings, would not make 
any allowance for the exigencies of the situation. AVhen 
Captain Legh came off to permit Lady Henry to indulge 
in a soliloquy, she received him with a torrent of re- 
proaches. 

“It’s perfectly disgraceful!” cried the little woman, 
trembling with rage. “ Why do you allow her to pull you 
about in that manner? Everybody is remarking it — and 
you ought to be ashamed of yourself to encourage a mar- 
ried woman in such practices!” 

“My dear child, pray don’t talk so loud; the whole 
theater will hear you! How can I help what she does on 


MISS HARRIl^GTOK^S HUSBAND. 


185 


the stage? Do you wish me to run away, or to stop the 
performance whilst I preach her a sermon on the duties of 
the married state ?^^ 

1^11 pay her out for it, though. See if I don’t ex- 
claimed Sylvia, with sparkling eyes. 

“ You will do nothing so silly. It would only injure 
yourself instead of her. How can what you do possibly 
affect Lady Henry Masham?” 

I can try, at all events, and I’m not a woman if I 
don’t! It’s like her impudence kissing you in that way, 
and squeezing your hand. I’d like to scratch her eyes out, 
and pull her wig off her head. The horrid old thing!” 

‘‘ Come, come!” said Legh, talking as he would to an 
angry child, ‘‘you mustn’t be so spiteful! It’s only for 
to-night, after all; and you’re looking so pretty, you can 
afford to be generous to women less good-looking than 
yourself. ’ ’ 

“I won’t be generous to any one who tries to take you 
away from me. And I’ll have my revenge! There’s old 
Danvers, of the ‘ Epoch,’ and Tomlinson, of the ‘ Call- 
boy,’ in front, and I know she’s asked them down here 
just to see her play! She’s mad to get a professional en- 
gagement. Well, they shall see her play, that’s all!” 

‘‘ Sylvia, what do you mean?” 

“Isha’n’t tell you. It’s my affair entirely. Besides, 
you don’t deserve my confidence. You had better go back 
to your Lady Henry. She’s quite ready to begin the kiss- 
ing all over again.” 

“ I would much rather have a kiss from you. Won’t 
you give it me? I want all the consolation I can get for 
being compelled to make such a fool of myself for the 
amusement of the populace.” 

He wanted to coax her into a good temper again. He 
did not know what scheme she had in her head for annoy- 
ing Lady Henry, but she looked spiteful enough for any- 
thing. 

Well, you do look a stick and no mistake!” cried Syl- 
via, laughing; “ and you deserve it for dangling after that 
old woman as you have done! / But if you want a kiss you 
shall have it,’ ’ and she stood on tiptoe and held up her rosy 
mouth for his salute. 

Just as he kissed her Lady Henry walked toward the 
wing and saw him. She had 'spoken his cue twice without 


186 MISS hareii^gton's huseaot. 

attracting his attention, and the cause of the neglect did 
not put her in a better temper. 

She came off the stage at the close of the comedietta in a 
very evil frame of mind, and spoke very rudely to Sylvia 
Marchmont ,as she encountered her. 

“ Have you forgotten that you have to play in the melo- 
drama?’^ she said, sharply. ‘‘ I think it would be more 
becoming for you to be in, your dressing-room than loiter- 
ing about the wings. ” 

A thousand thanks to vour ladyship,” cried Sylvia,, 
with an insolent courtesy; ‘^but I have yet to learn that 
professionals need to be reminded of their duty by ama- 
teurs.” 

Gerard Legh saw that a storm was brewing, and walked 
quickly out of the theater to change his theatrical costume 
for evening dress. When he returned to the scene of action 
the curtain was just going up on the melodrama. 

In this piece Lady Henry Masham and Sir Fulke Greville 
sustained the principal characters, and claimed all the sym- 
pathies of the audience. 

This was only natural, as Lady Henry had written the 
drama to suit themselves. But there was a minor character 
which had been intrusted to Sylvia, upon whom most of 
their play depended. 

Sylvia had grumbled on first reading her part, and de- 
clared it was unworthy of her ability. 

But she was wrong. Although it was not a sympathetic 
one, it was so absolutely necessary to the piece that the 
story could not have been told without it. And from the 
moment the girl stepped upon the stage her whole energies 
were bent upon destroying every situation the leading actors 
had arranged for themselves. 

One after another they were spoiled by means of her 
willful inattention, unpunctuality, or wrong cues, until 
Lady Henry grew furious, and Sir Fulke was perfectly con- 
fused and hardly knew what he was about. 

As soon as the drop-scene descended on the first act 
Lady Henry, who was pale with anger, demanded an ex- 
planation from Miss Marchmont of the extraordinary man- 
ner in which she was playing her part. But if she thought 
to get any satisfaction from her rival she was mistaken'. 

Sylvia looked as innocent as if she had been doing her 
very best. She expressed herself as much astonished as she 


MISS HARRIIs'GTOK'S husbakd. 187 

was annoyed by her ladyship^s displesure, and maintained 
that her reading of the part was perfectly correct. There 
was nothing to be done but to endure it. 

The curtain was being rung up for the second act/and 
the piece could not proceed without Sylvia, who continued 
in her former course of spoiling every situation in which 
-she took part; and as she came off Captain Legh tried to 
remonstrate with her. 

‘‘ Are you mad, Sylvia?^^ he exclaimed. ‘‘ You will 
ruin your reputation by this carelessness!^^ 

Ruin my fiddlesticks!^^ cried the girl, contemptuously. 

‘ ‘ Do you suppose any manager would take the word of an 
amateur? If you said I should ruin the chances of her play 
it would be more to the purpose, and that is what I mean 
to do.^^ 

But why should you be so malicious:^ ^ 

‘‘ DidnT I tell you I would have my revenge? Well, I 
am having it. Hullo, there^s my cue! 'No hurry, your 
ladyship, she said, affecting to address the heroine on the 
stage. You can say it once or twice more — it^s all prac- 
tice. IVe got to catch her in this scene, and I shall let 
her fall,^^ she continued to Captain Legh, as she left him 
to resume her business. 

He waited on the same spot, anxious to see what would 
happen. At one point Lady Henry had to faint, and it 
was Sylvia^s business to catch and support her on one knee 
as she did so. He could not believe that the girl really in- 
tended to do as she had threatened. But when the time 
came she did. She managed to be just a second too late, 
and Lady Henry threw herself back on the floor instead of 
into the arms she expected to receive her, and hurt her 
head so much that she was hardly able to go through the 
remainder of the piece. Sir Fulke^s speeches and actions 
lost their significance from her defalcation, and the melo- 
drama was 2i> fiasco. 

Of course there was applause when the curtain fell, but 
people who donT pay for their tickets must applaud. Dan- 
vers and Tomlinson got up yawning, and said there might 
be stuff in the piece, but it had been so ‘‘ doosidly badly 
played it was impossible to criticise it; and no one seemed 
to have a much more favorable opinion. 

Lady Henry was so indignant that she refused to see or 
speak to Sylvia Marchmont again that evening; and the 


188 MISS HARKIKGTOI^'S HUSBAND. 

little actress went cliuckling to bed, whilst Captain Legli 
had to remain behind and bear all the brunt of his hostess'’ s 
lamentations over the failure of her melodrama, and anger 
against the girl who had done her utmost to ruin it. 

Gerard Legh, having introduced Sylvia to Hatleigh 
House, and stood sponsor for her dramatic talent, came in 
for a large share of blame, and had to make a thousand 
apologies for his protegee and himself. 

‘‘ Of course, after Miss Marchmont^s excessive rudeness 
to myself, and her malicious endeavors to ruin my piece, 
you can hardly expect me to extend my invitation to her,^'’ 
said Lady Henry. 

And Gerard answered, ‘‘Of course not, and wondered 
which side he would be called upon to take for the future. 

As soon as the late breakfast, at which Lady Henry did 
not appear, was over, the following morning, Sylvia skipped 
up to him with a note in her hand. 

“ What’s the meaning of this?^^ she said. 

He took the note and read: 

“ Lady Henky Masham presents her compliments to 
Miss Marchmont, and begs to say that after what occurred 
last night it is impossible she can meet Miss Marchmont 
again. Lady Henry does not wish to put Miss Marchmont 
to any inconvenience, but so long as she remains in Hat- 
leigh House, Lady Henry will keep to her own room.^^ 

“ What does it mean?^^ repeated Sylvia, pertly, peering 
up into Gerardos face. 

“ It means,-’ •’ he answered, gravely, “ that you must go. 
You can not keep the lady of the house a prisoner in her 
own room. You must leave Hatleigh this morning.'’-’ 

“ All right. IVe done all I wanted to do, and I^m sure 
I don'’t want to stay. But you must come with me. 

“ Indeed I shall do no such thing. How could I go with 
you? What would people say to such an arrangement? 
Besides, I have not yet finished my visit here. -’ ^ 

“ But you must come,^' interposed the girl, hotly. “ If 
you don'’t come with me, you must leave the house to-day! 
You brought me here, and it is shameful that I should be 
turned out in this way, as if I was a thief, or something 
disgraceful!^^ 

“ You have brought it on yourself, my dear. You are 


MISS HAEEIKGTOI^'S HUSBAKD. 




not in a position to quarrel with women like Lady Henry 
M^ham. You are bound to go to the wall. 

^ I don^t want to remain here, I tell you! I think she^s 
odious; and I wouldnH sit down to table again with her!: 
But you must come with me. I won^’t leave you here to be- 
kissed and made love to by her; and if you remain I shall 
give her a bit of my mind!^^ 

Sylvia, you shall do no such thing. You have made 
me sufficiently ridicidous already over this business, and I 
will have no more of it! If you don^’t quit Hatleigh before 
luncheon-time / shall! But it will not be with you. Un- 
derstand that plainly. 

‘‘ Now you are going to quarrel with me on her ac- 
count, said Sylvia, jealously. 

Indeed I am not. Women are not worth quarreling' 
with or about. 

“You didn^’t think so a year ago. You quarreled 
enough with yOur wife; everybody knows that.^^ 

“ I have already told you I will not hear my wife alluded 
to by you. Whatever passed between us is no concern of 
yours. 

“ My tongue is my own, and I shall say what I choose !^^ 
cried Sylvia, pertly. “ You led poor Miss Harrington a 
nice cat-and-dog life, and she was obliged to put up with it 
because she was your wife. But you won'’! find other 
women quite so easy. Youfil have to keep your temper to- 
yourself with me, and so I tell you!^' 

“I have nothing more to say on the subject,^ ^ replied 
Captain Legh. 

“ Very good. I shall start by the twelve train to Lon- 
don, and if you keep to your word youWe seen the last of 
me; so take your choice!’^ 

“ I mean to keep my word, Sylvia. I do not leave Hat- 
leigh to-day unless you remain here.-’^ 

“ Good-bye, then; and you needn^t trouble yourself to 
call on me when you return to town, for I shall be out!'’^ 

“ I shall remember your words, and I shall not call/^ 
he answered, and Sylvia flounced out of the room, quite 
ready to cry at the turn affairs had taken; whilst Captain 
Legh turned on his heel, and only thought what a fool a 
man was ever to allow himself to be made the bone of con- 
tention between two silly women. . 

Miss Marchmont having taken flight. Lady Henry 


190 


MISS HAKEIMGTOIs^S HUSBAND. 


Masham condescended to appear at the luncheon-table; 
and after the congratulations from her friends, and as^r- 
ances that nothing could have gone better than the melo- 
d.rama, and every one saw the sole hitch was due to Miss 
Marchmont’s carelessness, equanimity was restored at Hat- 
leigh House. 

But all this fuss and worry seemed to have an effect upon 
Gerard Legh^s health. He had not been well when he 
arrived at Hatleigh, and as soon as the theatricals were 
over he visibly declined. His nights were disturbed, his 
appetite failed, and he had no longer strength to tramp 
over the plowed fields after the i^artridges, as he had been 
wont to do. 

At last, one evening, as he was sitting at dinner and try- 
ing to listen to the flattery Lady Henry was pouring into 
his ear, a sudden faintness came over him; the lighted 
candelabra seemed to spin round and round; the chatter of 
the guests became indistinct; and he fell off his chair in a 
swoon. 


CHAPTEB XXVHI. 

THE LAST LIKK. 

As soon as Captain Legh recovered consciousness he rose 
to go to his own room. His sense of courtesy was shocked 
at having upset the order of the dinner-table, and all his 
anxiety was to see it restored. A dozen men, amongst 
whom was Lord Henry Masham, volunteered to accompany 
him upstairs, but he begged to be left alone. He was an- 
noyed at having . made such a display in public. He felt 
quite well again now, and the kindest thing they could do 
was to leave him quiet for an hour or two. 

So, followed by the condolences of the whole party, and 
with the attendance only of a footman, he sought his cham- 
ber. But as soon as he arrived there he felt his powders of 
exertion were spent. He sat down on the side of the bed 
giddy and confused, and tried to . think. What was going 
to happen to him? He had never fainted in his life before. 
What did it portend? He had felt ill and languid for some 
days past, but nothing to lead him to expect such a break- 
down as this. He was hot and cold by turns, aitid trem- 
bling in every limb, and the furniture of the room kept spin- 


MISS HARRIKGTOIs'S HUSBAKD. 191 

ning round and shifting places, and making him feel as if 
he were going mad. He sfcliggered to his feet, and groping 
his way to the brandy-flask that stood on his mantel-piece, 
drained it at a draught. The stimulant steadied his nerves 
for a moment, and in that moment he decided what to do. 
He was going to be ill — there was no doubt of that. It 
might be something infectious. He must leave the house 
at once. 

He rang the bell for a servant, and desired him to get a 
hired carriage; and then with difficulty putting a few 
thiogs into a traveling-bag, he sat down, trembling, to wait 
his return. When the vehicle was ready, he slipped down- 
stairs, gave the servant half a sovereign to tell his master 
quietly that, as he was sure he was going to be ill, he had 
thought it wiser to leave the house without delay, and get- 
ting into the carriage, ordered the driver to take him to the 
nearest inn, which was a little hostelry called the Ked Lion, 
in the village, of Hatleigh. 

As soon as Gerard Legh, under the influence of excite- 
ment, had accomplished this feat, his strength gave way. 
He had barely time to stumble, upstairs to the only bedroom 
the inn could afford him, when he fell into a kind of stupor, 
and the landlord ran in a fright to convey the news to Hat- 
leigh House. 

Lord Henry Masham, always kind-hearted and hospita- 
ble, was shocked to think that any guest should have left 
his roof under such circumstances. He took a doctor to 
the inn at once, and insisted upon remaining all night upon 
the spot. 

Captain Legh was by that time unable to recognize him 
or anybody. He slumbered heavily and unnaturally, and 
the doctor did not like his ajDpearance. 

When morning dawned he liked it less, and conjured 
Lord Henry to return at once to his own house. Captain 
Legh's condition showed every symptom of typhoid fever, 
and as his lordship could do him no good, it was quite un- 
necessary he should run the risk of infection. Lord Henry 
saw the sense of the argument and withdrew, though not 
before he had telegraphed lo London for another doctor 
and a nurse; and so Gerard Legh lay at the Eed Lion 
tended by strangers, whilst Georgie Harrington was in 
California unaware of his danger. 

The anxiety displayed by the inmates of Hatleigh House 


192 MISS HAERIMGTOX'S HUSBAND. 

during the progress of his disease was very great; but it 
only showed itself in discussing his chances of life and 
death, and sending him flowers and fruit. No one was 
brave enough to go and see him. The visitors (amongst 
whom was the Mrs. Eaynor wlio had written the news to 
California to her brother, Lord Frederic Carr) mostly dis- 
persed to their own homes, so afraid were they of the in- 
fection; and Lady Henry lamented sorely that it was a duty 
she owed to herself and her household not to go near the 
poor dear invalid. She jorovided him with everything 
necessary from her own establishment; she even wept freely 
during the two or three days when he seemed in danger of 
dying, and said she should never forget the sweet unselflsh- 
ness he had shown for her sake, in leaving the house when 
he felt his^ illness coming on. But her friendship did not 
extend to the risk of a personal interview, or even to enter- 
ing the place where he lay. However, Captain Legh^s ex- 
cellent constitution and youth were in his favor, and, after 
a sharp tussle with the enemy, he came- off victorious. 

In a month^s time, though still weak and looking the 
shadow of his former self, he was pronounced convalescent, 
and ready to receive visitors. Then the owners of Hatleigh 
House shook off their fear, and spent several hours daily by 
the bedside of the invalid. Lady Henryks interest, indeed, 
blossomed into quite a sisterly affection under the peculiarity 
of the circumstances — until to kiss the poor patient morn- 
ing and evening, and to sit half the day with her hand in 
his, became a matter of course. She was obliged to be all 
the kinder to him, she would say, smiling, because he had 
none of his own people to take her place. For Lord and 
Lady Kinlock happened to be traveling in Italy on account 
of the latter^s bronchitis; and the Ladies Legh refused to 
leave Summerhayes without the permission of their parents, 
which arrived when all necessity for their services was over. 

It was pleasant for Gerard Legh to be able to sit up 
again, though the room he occupied was anything but 
luxurious, and know that life was not yet over for him. 
His brain was still weak and confused; but he felt as if a 
pressure had been lifted from it by his illness that might 
otherwise have broken it down. 

He hardly remembered Georgie at first, nor the trouble 
of the past year. He was like a little child gradually wak- 
ing to a sense of the pleasure of existence; and his chief 


MISS HARRIiq-GTON^S HUSBAKD. 193 

interest seemed to lie in the taste of his food, the scent of 
the flowers by his bedside, and the soothing influence of 
Lady Henryks affection. But the day came when he grew 
stronger, and thought returned to worry him, and yet he 
had not acquired sufficient strength to conceal his trouble 
as before. His weary gaze, and deep sighs, and indiffer- 
ence to the things he at first took pleasure in, soon attracted 
Lady Henryks attention, and she pressed him to tell her the 
reason of it. 

‘^It is nothing in particular, ^Mie replied; ‘‘it is my 
whole life that has been a mistake. Lady Henry. I only 
wonder why I should ha^e recovered from this illness. It 
would have been so much easier for me to have died and 
done with it all. 

“ IsoWy my dear friend, you are growing morbid and 
sentimental, and I can^t allow that. Why should your fut- 
ure life not be as happy as that of other people? You have 
only to look at it philosophically, and it will be so. ” 

“ I am afraid philosophy would have a hard task to make 
my crooked places straight. Lady Henry. 

“ Well, I shall attempt the cure, whether it succeeds or 
not. And in the first place you must cease to address me 
as Lady Henry; it is too formal between friends. Call me 
‘ Kate,'’ and I will call you ‘ Gerard;^ then we shall stand 
u^ion equal ground. ” 

‘‘You are too kind,^^ murmured the invalid, with a 
feeble pressure of her hand ; “ I have done nothing to de- 
serve it!^^ 

Indeed you have! I felt there was a tie of sympathy 
between us the first day we met, which has only increased 
with our further acquaintance. And I think I can guess 
what is troubling you, Gerard. It is the thought of that 
false woman who has treated you so badly. You must for- 
get her indeed. She is not worthy of you!” 

Captain Legh turned his face upon his pillow. He was 
not strong enough yet to bear the sound of his wife^s name. 
But he made a feeble remonstrance against Lady Heniy's 
accusation. 

“ It is not so indeed, Kate,^^ he murmured. “ In your 
kindness of heart you are all on my side. But our tem- 
pers clashed. That was at the root of it. There was noth- 
ing else to — to — ^separate us.^^ 

“ Ah, so you may think, my poor boy; but husbands are 


194 


MISS harriitgton's husband. 

invariably the last persons to be told of these things. ' And 
you should have heard Miss Harrington own opinion on 
the matter; it was very different from yours. 

The sick man sighed, but did not speak. 

‘‘ Nothing could be too bad for her to say of yotc!*^ con- 
tinued Lady Henry, warmly. ‘‘lam sure it has made my 
blood positively run cold to hear her. But that is always 
the way with one^s inferiors. If they fancy themselves 
wronged they can only take refuge in abuse 

“ But Georgie has as good blood in her veins as I have,^^ 
said Gerard Legh, flushing. 

“ My dear Gerard, she says so; but all officers are not 
of good birth, as we well know. And at any rate you 
should have looked much higher in marriage. Her profes- 
sion alone unfitted her for the position of your wife. Now 
I wish you would try and look at it in this light. It was^ 
an unfortunate alliafice; but it is ended, and the only thing 
you have to do is to forget her. 

“ But I forget her 1^'' exclaimed the in valid, betrayed 
by his weakness into a confession of which he would never 
have been guilty in health. “The remembrance of her 
haunts me night and day. I shall never replace her. Lady 
Henry. She has spoiled me for any other woman. There 
is not one who combines her beauty, and talent, and charm 
— when she chooses to be charming. And I have a beastly 
temper, you know — there is no doubt of that — and it was 
the cause of most of the differences that took place between 
us.'’^ 

Lady Henry did not like the mood into which Captain 
Legh had fallen. He was all very well when he posed as 
her own particular friend; but as the repentant lover of 
somebody else she had no sympathy with him, so she replied, 
rather coldly: 

‘‘ I suppose I must excuse this outbreak on account of 
your illness. Captain Legh; otherwise it would be inex- 
cusable! Such a want of self-respect and proper pride I 
should have believed impossible in you! To lament over 
and cherish the memory of a woman who first deserts you, 
and then makes herself notorious by her conduct on the 
other side of the water!" 

“ ^\iO dares say that?^^ cried Gerard Legh, springing up 
in bed, with Iris pale face suddenly flushed with crimson. 

“ Now, my dear Gerard, donT excite yourself. It is not 


MISS HARRIIn-GTOM^S HUSBAND. 195 

one Iverson who saj^s it; everybody knows it for a fact! You 
should have heard Mr. Martin D. 0 . Oppenstael speak of 
Miss Harrington before he knew that she was your wife. 
It quite made me blush to think I had ever shaken hands 
with her.'’^ 

“ What did he say?^^ demanded Gerard, in a low voice. 

‘‘ Why, that she was making herself talked of everywhere 
with a man of the name of Boch — one of'your great Yew 
YYrk millionaires, who followed her about from place to 
place, and had bowers of roses erected for her to pass under 
wherever she stopped. Besides, there were other names 
mentioned in connection with hers, till I really asked him 
to stop. I could not bear such things spoken of in my 
house, for poorly as I think of most of the members of her 
profession, I hoped that Miss Harrington had a little more 
sense of the honor of an alliance with yourself than to drag 
your name in the dirt as she has done I'’ ^ 

Gerard Legh turned round on his pillow and groaned. 

Boch ! Yes, that was the same name that appeared in 
Louise Fletcher ^s letter to Marian Lacy, when she said that 
Georgie was about to get a divorce from himself, and marry 
the millionaire. It was hardly likely that two people should 
be mistaken. 

‘‘ Did Mr. Oppenstael mention anything about my wife 
getting a divorce from me?’ ’ he stammered, after awhile. 

‘ ^ Oh, dear, no ! Miss Harrington, having shaken herself 
free of one marriage, will not be so eager to jump into an- 
other. She will go on her wild career unchecked, and I 
only hope she riiay never return to England. She will not 
do it, unless she should find it will pay her better than re- 
maining out there. I fancy she is a lady who knows on 
which side her bread is buttered! “ And now this is the 
reason, my dear friend, ’’ continued Lady Henry, turning 
to Gerard Legh, who lay, alternately fiushing and paling 
with anger, u2Don his pillow, ‘‘ that I want you to do your 
best to try and forget that this woman ever existed. She 
has marred the best part of your life; don’t let her spoil 
all the rest!” 

‘‘Thank you — thank you!” rejofied Captain Legh, 
wringing her hand. “ She shall not — you may depend 
112)011 that!” 

“ And remember that you have always two stanch 
friends in Lord Henry and myself, who will do all in our 


196 -MISS haerikgton's husband. 

power to assist you. By tlie way, I have some good news 
for you, Gerard. I have taken the transaction of your busi- 
ness into my own hands during your illness, and I have let 
your house. My friend s,'the Stantons, wanted it for a yeaiv 
and entered upon possession last week. So that is off your 
hands, and you can begin your new career in chambers 

“ I can never thank you sufficiently for all your kindness 
to me,^^ said Gerard Legh, though she had planted a 
poisoned barb in his heart that was already diffusing its 
deadly influence over his whole system. 

As soon as ever the doctor would permit his removal 
Lord and Lady Henry Masham insisted upon his returning 
to Hatleigh, where he received every attention necessary to- 
insure his recovery. 

By the end of November he was able to leave the house, 
and one of his first visits was paid to his club, where he 
found a number of letters awaiting him. 

Turning them over indifferently, his cheek flushed as he 
came across one in the handwriting of his wife. 

It was now fifteen months since she had left him, and 
during all that time he had never received a line from her 
until now. 

Burning with the remembrance of the stories he had heard 
against her, his first impulse was to tear the letter in half 
and throw it into the fire. 

But on second thoughts he decided to read it, whatever 
pain it gave him. It might confirm what he had been 
already told, and snap the last link between them. 

But when he opened and peruseed the note Georgie had 
written him from San Francisco his amazement knew no 
bounds. 

She was actually coming home — might be in England at 
that very moment — and had the audacity to propose to live 
with him again. What could be the reason for her sudden 
determination? Had Mr. Boch proved a rotten reed, and 
did she think to fall back on her husband^’s name and pro- 
tection for support? But she would find she had reckoned 
without her host. SJie had chosen her path in life, and left 
him to choose his, and she must abide by the consequences!. 

And so he sat down, in hot haste and" wrath, and penned 
the letter which greeted Georgie Harrington on her arrival 
at Queenstown. 


MISS HAEEII^GTOK^S HUSBAMD. 


197 


CHAPTER XXIX. 

A SOKRY WELCOME. 

Whem Georgie read that letter the contents took her so- 
completely by surprise that she stood in the center of her 
cabin like a dazed creature, not knowing what to think or 
to do. On the impulse of the moment, believing h^r hus- 
band to be dangerously ill, she had thrown up her brilliant 
engagement and crossed the water, only to receive this 
buffet in the face as soon as she reached England. 

If she had not expected Gerard to throw himself at once 
into her arms, she had at least thought that he would meet 
her advances like a gentleman, and be ready to listen to 
what she said, if he did not agree to it. 

But he actually refused to receive her; and he coupled 
his refusal with an insinuation that made her cheeks burn. 
She had not had time to realize the position, however, be- 
fore Sissy flew into the cabin with the news that Mr. Bra- 
bazon Chauncey had come on board, and was waiting in 
the saloon to see her. 

Georgie thrust the letter in her pocket and hastened to 
greet her old friend; and as he took her two hands in his, 
and pressed them warmly, she felt there was one person at 
least who had a genuine welcome for her on her return. 

But notwithstanding his pleasure at their reunion, Mr. 
Brabazon Chauncey was very much concerned that Georgie 
should have left America so soon. 

“ My dear girl!’"’ he exclaimed, as soon as they had en-^ 
sconced themselves on one of the saloon sofas, and were 
ready for a comfortable chat, ‘‘ the few lines you sent me,, 
announcing your return, took my breath away! What on 
earth was the reason of your breaking off your engagement 
in that sudden manner, and when you had achieved such 
an enormous success? ’ Hid you have any quarrel with 
Maxim ?^^ 

“ Hear me, no! On the contrary, we parted the best of 
friends. 

I wonH ask if the climate disagreed with you, Georgie, 
for I never saw you looking better. Why^ then, have you 
taken this sudden freak in your head? It is a most serious 


198 


MISS HARRI^s'GTOM^S HUSBAND. 


thing, interrupting your transatlantic career in this way. 
You may never regain lost ground. ” 

I think it is very likely I never may/’ replied Georgie, 
bitterly. 

An hour ago she would have told Mr. Ohauncey frankly 
of the reason which induced her return. !Now, with that 
cruel letter in her pocket, she was ashamed to speak of the 
false hopes she had entertained. But her friend guessed 
the thoughts that were brooding in her brain. 

“ I ’hope,” he said, after a pause, that you have not 
relinquished your prospects on account of some fancied duty 
toward your husband, my dear, for I can assure you he is 
not worthy of it. I have seen and heard a good deal of 
Captain Legh since your departure, and I should be very 
sorry to see you living together again.” 

“ There is no chance of that,” she said, sadly, ‘‘ for — for 
lie refuses to see or speak to me. ” 

“ ATe refuses!” Brabazon Chauncey. ‘‘Im- 

possible! On what ground?” 

“ None in particular. Oh! Mr. Chauncey, I may as well 
tell you all. I received the news whilst in San Francisco 
of my husband’s illness, and I could not rest until I came 
home to him. I canceled my engagement, therefore, with 
Maxim, and traveled as fast as I could; I thought Gerard 
might die before we were reconciled! I wrote him a note, 
before I started, to tell him all this, and the answer has just 
been put into my hand. Captain Legh declines my offer, ” 
she continued, hysterically, “ to live with him, or assist 
him. He tells me to — to return to my friends in New York, 
as there is no welcome for me here. ” 

“ It’s just what you might have expected from such a 
worthless fellow as he is!” exclaimed Mr. Chauncey, in- 
dignantly. “ Georgie, I am sincerely sorry you should have 
made such a sacrifice for his sake; with your former ex- 
perience you should have known better. But don’t fret 
over it now; there is jDlentyof welcome for you in England, 
my child, if not from him. Half a dozen theaters are ready 
to open their doors to you; and if, after a few months 
spent amongst us, you decide to return to America, I will 
soon make another engagement for you. So cheer up, and 
try to remember that the w^orld does not consist of one man 
<)nly. ’ ’ 

“ You have always encouragement and kind promises for 


MISS HARRIi^GTOK^S HUSBAKD. 


19^> 


me, Mr. Chauncey. Bat, disappointed as I am by this^ 
letter, it makes me still more glad that I have come. 
There is some mystery in it that I can not fathom. I am 
afraid some one has been tampering with my good name 
behind my back, and that is a thing which it-is necessary I 
should know in order to refute. Have any ill-natured 
stories reached 3mur ears, Mr. Chauncey?-’^ 

‘‘ Since you put the question to me, Georgie, I must say 
they have. ^Nothing in particular, you know, my dear, but 
nasty, unkind little hints, and stories without top or tail, 
and fathered by no one. Of course I have denied them on 
my own responsibility, but unless you can trace the author 
of a scandal it is difficult to quell it.^^ 

‘‘ What did they say?^^ asked Georgie, with an anxious 
face. During all her professional career she had kept her 
place in society from her pure and spotless reputation, and 
to be the object of slander was something very new and 
painful to her. ‘‘ What did they say?^^ she repeated. 

What could they say, Mr. Chauncey? I have never done 
anything during my absence that I need blush to recall. 

“ I have no doubt of it, my dear girl. And I have known 
you too long to believe anything I might hear in your dis- 
favor. But you have enemies; there is no doubt of that. 
Women, most likely, who are jealous of your good looks 
and reputation, and would be delighted to see you fall 
from your high estate. Never confide in women, my dear. 
They are the natural enemies of their own sex. 

But did they mention no names? Have they made na 
direct accusation against me?'’^ she demanded. 

‘‘ None that I know of. I did hear once that you were- 
married again — to the president, I believe — but that was 
too insignificant a rumor to deserve notice.'’^ 

How supremely ridiculous!'’^ said Georgie, affecting to- 
laugh. ‘^ And do you think any of these nonsensical 
stories can have reached Captain Legh?^^ 

DoiTt know. I’m sure,^'’ replied Chauncey, brusquely; 
but Tm certain of one thing, Georgie; that those who 
live in glass houses shouldnT throw stones; and that man 
has no right to blame you for anything you may have done 
during your separation. 

I am afraid you have not a very high opinion of him,'^ 
she said, biting her lip. 

You know I havenT. I have thought his treatment of 


^00 MISS HAERIMGTON^S HUSBAKD. 

you all tlirougli your married life shameful, and he has 
capped it by his behavior in your absence. Don^t flatter 
yourself he has been fretting for your loss, my dear. He 
has enjoyed himself excellently well, never fear.^^ 

Then he is really recovered of his illness?’^ 

“ I met him in the Strand yesterday, swaggering along 
just the same as usual. There didnT seem much the mat- 
ter with him then. And his letter must show you he is 
quite strong enough to be spiteful.^^ 

If he has heard stories against me,^^ cried Georgie, ex- 
citedly, I will not rest until I have disabused his mind 
upon the matter. I do not wish to live with him again, 
since he has ceased to love me; but I will not let my char- 
acter rest under a false imputation. I will clear myself in 
his eyes, and then I will leave him forever, and go back to 
America. 

Do anything you like, so long as you leave him,^^ said 
Brabazon Ohauncey, gayly. But Ifll never forgive you, 
my dear, if you are so foolish as to put your head into the 
noose again. 

He ran after Sissy as he spoke, and left her to digest 
what he had said at her leisure. How strange it was that 
they should all be against her! That even her best friends 
seemed to try all in their power to prevent her doing her 
duty. Not that she was in the right mood to do it at that 
particular moment. Captain Legh^s letter had made her 
heart sore and angry, and the rumors she had heard since 
had not tended to soften it. If ever in her life she had felt 
a longing for revenge it was now. Revenge against her 
slanderers, and revenge against her husband — the sweet 
revenge of forcing him to acknowledge himself in the wrong. 
His refusal to give his address had upset all her plans. 
She no longer knew what to do, nor where to go, on her 
arrival in London; and she was compelled to confess the 
cause of her indecision to her traveling-companion, Mrs. 
Bletcher. 

Louise looked rather blank when she first heard of the 
crisis Georgie^s matrimonial affairs had attained; but after 
her first surprise was over she took refuge in abusing the 
absent partner. 

“What did I tell you in New York, Georgie, when I 
heard you were coming home on this wild-goose chase — that 
it was of no use running after a man who didiiT want you. 


MISS harkijigtok's husband. 201 

and that if you did come together again you^d bitterly re- 
pent it? Now, who was right and who was wrong 

‘‘ Oh, of course I was all wrong; I see that j)lainly 
enough,^ replied Georgie, fretfully. But it has nothing 
to do with the hotel we are to go to. Shall it be Morley^s 
in Trafalgar Square? I have always been so comfortable 
there before. 

By all means let us go to Morley^’s. I sha^’n^t stay 
with you there long, you know, darling, because I can't 
afford it; but it will do nicely till I have found rooms. I 
wonder if your cousin, Marian Lacy, could tell me of 
some?" 

I dare say she can. I wonder I have not heard from 
Marian or Aunt Laura! I wrote to them to my house, 
where Lord Frederic Carr told me they were staying; but 
as Captain Legh has let it, of course they can't be there. I 
suppose the letter will be forwarded to their new address. 
I am so anxious to see Marian, and find out if she can give 
me any clew to this mystery. ' ' 

So anxious was she, that Mr. Brabazon Chauncey had 
not deposited her and her belongings at Morley's Hotel 
for more than an hour before she had ordered a carriage 
and driven to her house in the little street leading out of 
Park Lane. How familiar and yet unfamiliar it looked! 
There were her own guipure lace curtains, with their pale 
blue linings, in the drawing-room windows; but she never 
would have left the tiled boxes in the balcony, which once 
bloomed with summer flowers, full of withered stalks and 
blackened leaves. And from the dining-room casement, 
too, peered forth two baby faces, eager with curiosity, to 
see the ‘‘ pretty lady in the carriage." 

Georgie kept her eyes fixed pertinaciously upon the door; 
it hurt her to see the strangeness of the house, and to think 
how different it would be were she coming home to take up 
her rightful place in it again, with her husband by her side. 
But it was her own fault, she supposed, that it was not so. 

The servant who answered her summons, and who was a 
very inferior-looking creature to her own neat handmaids, 
had to scream inquiries both upstairs and down-stairs be- 
fore? she could elicit the information that Mrs. Stanton be- 
lieved that Mrs. Lacy had moved somewhere near Edgware 
Hoad, but that Captain Legh had the address. 

Could Mrs. Stanton oblige her with Captain Legh's ad- 


MISS HAHEI]ST4T0N'S HUSBAND. 


.S02 

dress, Georgie next asked, hoping that the answer might 
give her a clew to his private residence; but she only re- 
ceived the name of his club in return. 

She was about to drive to Mrs. Lacy’s old ro( 5 ms, with a 
Tiew to questioning the landlord about his late lodgers, 
when she caught sight of Marian in Oxford Street. In a 
moment the check-string was pulled, and Georgie had 
jumjDed out upon the pavement and arrested the progress 
of her cousin. 

Marian!” she cried; ‘‘it is I, Georgie! Oh, I am so 
glad to see you! I have been driving about to try and get 
your address. Why didn’t you write to me at Liverpool? 
How is Aunt Laura? . Get into the carriage with me, there’s 
a dear girl, and we will drive to your rooms together.” 

“ My goodness, How you startled me! Iliad 

210 idea you were in England! I have received no letter 
from you! When did you arrive? What have you come 
for? Well, this is a pleasure! Mamma will be delighted; 
she is always lamenting your absence! Wc are living in 
George Street now.” And giving the directions to the 
coachman, she followed her cousin into the vehicle. 

“ My dear girl, how well you are looking,” she began 
again, as soon as they set off. “ America certainly seems 
to have agreed with you. And now do tell me what brought 
you home. ” 

“ W^hat brought me home!” repeated Georgie, vaguely, 

Oh, a dozen things. First, to see England again, and hear 
liow you were all going on. ’ ’ 

“ And when did you arrive at Liverpool?” 

“ Yesterday afternoon. We slept at the Grand, and 
Mr. Chauncey brouglit us on to Morley’s this morning. 
Louise Fletcher has returned with me, and of course I have 
Sissy and Rachel.” 

“ Oh, Mr. Chauncey met you at Liverpool, then?” said 
Marian, ignoring the remainder of Georgie’s communica- 
tion. 

“ He was good enough to go all the way to Queenstown; 
and a great comfort he was. I don’t know what we 
should have done without him, considering he was the only 
j^erson who had the politeness to come to our assistance.” 

“ Didn’t Gerard go?” demanded Marian, with affected 
astonishment. 

“ My dear Marian, I don’t even know where Gerard is. 


MISS HAKEIKGTOK^’S HUSBAND. 


203 


He knew the date of my arrival well enough, but he only- 
sent me an unkind letter, which I have brought to show to 
your mother — in fact, that is the reason of my seeking you 
out so soon. I can not rest until I have heard all there is 
to tell about it!^^ 

“ Well, here are our rooms, dear, and I know mamma is 
at home; so come in and have a cup of tea, and we will 
give you all the information in our power. And in an- 
other minute Georgie was standing in the presence of Mrs. 
Lacy. 


CHAPTER XXX, 


IN CHAMBERS. 


Marian Lacy had run quickly up the stairs before her 
cousin, and calling out etfusively to her mother: 

Only fancy, mamma! Here is our dear Georgie home 
again had found time to add, in a whisper, ‘‘ JVot a ivord 
about the letter I” before the latter appeared upon the 
scene. 

The truth being that Miss Lacy had received the intima- 
tion of Georgie^s return, but found it more convenient, for 
several reasons, to ignore the fact. She did not wish to 
incur the expense of going to Liverpool to meet her, nor 
did she want to see her at all until she had found out if 
Captain Legh had informed his wife that she and her moth- 
er had ’ t house for him. 



She had seen and heard nothing of Gerard since they had 
quarreled on his departure for Hatleigh until that very 
morning, when she had obtained the address of his cham- 
bers from a mutual friend, and been to call on him. 

The interview was brief and unpleasant. Captain Legh 
had shown very plainly that her presence was unwelcome 
to him. He had refused point-blank to give her any in- 
formation about his wife^s movements or his own, and had 
sent her home burning with a desire for revenge. She was 
therefore in a fit condition to play into Georgie Harring- 
ton's hands, and afford her every assistance in her power, 
so long as it was to be given with a view to annoy and cir- 
cumvent Captain Legh. 

Only fancy, mamma!" she continued, as Mrs. Lacy 


^04 MISS HAERIKGTOIf'S HUSBAND. 

embraced her niece, and tried to express astonishment 
(though not so successfully as Marian) at her return, 
Gerard never went to meet her at Liverpool, although he 
knew the date of her arrival, and the poor dear girl doesn^t 
even know where he lives. Isn^t it perfectly shameful? 
It makes one marvel what the world is coming to."’^ 

It is shameful!’^ acquiesced Mrs. Lacy, kissing Georgie. 
again; ‘‘ but it is no more than I expected of him, and only 
on a piece with the rest of his conduct. I hope you have 
not come home with any idea of seeking a reconciliation 
ivith him,^^ she continued, addressing her niece; “ for I can 
assure you he is not worthy of your regard. He has been 
spreading the most scandalous reports about you all over 
London, and you will lower yourself very much if you take 
any notice of him. 

But demanded Georgie as they sat down to- 

gether, ‘ ^ if this is the case, did you and Marian go to live 
with him. Aunt Laura? I confess, when I heard it, it sur- 
prised me. It seemed so much as if I was in the wrong, 
and my family took sides against me.^^ 

My dear child, who could have so cruelly misrepre- 
sented the case to you?’^ cried Mrs. Lacy, with uplifted 
hands. Oh, Marian, isn^t it ivickecl9 The fact is, dear 
'Georgie, Captain Legh was going on so strangely that, 
when he came and begged me to keep house for him for a 
little while, 1 thought it better to comply for your sake. 
I thought my presence there would prevent scandal; and, 
until matters were finally settled between you, it was wiser 
to keep up appearances before the world. However, it was 
of no avail. Captain Legh did not like the restrictions of 
a respectable household, and Marian and I resolved to look 
out for another home. It was no pleasure for ma, I can 
•assure you, my dear girl — in fact I lost money by the 
arrangement; and as- for poor Marian, she was worn out 
with his fussy ways and late hours. And, as things have 
turned out, I am very sorry we ever went there at all. 

‘‘ It has not done much good, it appears to me, to any- 
body, replied Georgie, with a wintery smile. “ I came 
home on account of my husband ^s illness. I suppose you 
have heard how ill he has been?^^ 

“We never should have done so except for meeting Miss 
^Sylvia Marchmont,’^ said Marian, with a toss of her head. 


MISS har^ihgton's husband. 205 

Georgie winced as she heard the name; but she answered, 
calmly: 

“ I understood from Mr. Chauncey that Gerard was 
taken ill at Hatleigh House. 

“So he was, my dear; but Miss Marchmont was there 
too, invited by Lady Henry through Captain Legh. I met 
the little wretch in a sealskin cloak down to her feet the 
other day, and she informed me that ‘ Gerard ^ was quite 
well again now, and going about as usual. They say he 
nearly died of the fever. Some people might think it a 
pity that he didnH die altogether!’^ 

“Don’t say that, Marian; he is not fit to die. Aunt 
Laura, I suppose you will think me very weak, but I threw 
up my American engagement, and came home expressly to 
see Gerard and make it up with him. I ha]f hoped he 
would be as anxious for a reconciliation as I am, and come 
to meet me at Liverpool; but instead of that, I was met at 
Queenstown by this letter, ” and she laid it in Mrs. Lacy’s 
hand. 

“ Why, it’s a positive insult!” cried Marian, as she read 
it over her mother’s shoulder: “ and what does he mean 
by telling you to go back to your ^ friend ’ in New York? 
Is that intended for an attack on your character?” 

“ It looks like it, doesn’t it?” replied Georgie, proudly; 
“ but if Captain Legh thinks I shall stand it quietly he is 
yery much mistaken. I have stood a good deal, as you 
both know, but this is going a little too far. He must re- 
tract his words or take the consequences!” 

“ But what could you do, my dear?” said her aunt, anx- 
iously. “ By the law of England, you know, a man can 
say what he chooses of his own wife.” 

“ Yes; and a woman can say what she chooses of her 
own husband! I have held my tongue hitherto, but I shall 
do it no longer, and let us see which story gains the greater 
credence. I have lived my life openly. Aunt Laura, and 
;all the world has acknowledged it to be blameless. Do 
you think I will consent to sit down in silence now under a 
scandalous imputation like this, and one which, by your 
own evidence, has not been confined to a private letter?” 

“ I don’t blame you, my dear. I think you are quite 
right to stick up for yourself, and I hope you may be suc- 
^cessful; but how do you propose to act?” 

“ I shall find out where he lives and go and see him. I 


206 MISS harkingtok's husband. 

can not believe but that when we meet he will relents 
x\unt Laura, he loved me very dearly once. When I re- 
member how he loved me I can not believe it possible that 
words like these can have been written from his heart. 
Some one has poisoned his mind against me. He is not 
very strong-minded, you know. Poor Gerard was always 
too easily influenced, and absence has weakened my hold 
over him. Sometimes I feel sure I have only to see him 
to set things right again. Won^t you help me, dear? Won^t 
you try and find out his private address, so that I may 
communicate with him?^^ 

“ My dear Georgie, I can give you his address ex- 
claimed Marian, “ I received it from Mr. Cowan yesterday. 
It is in Eochester Street, Adelphi.^^ 

“ Close to Brabazon Chauncey^s!^^ said Georgie, her face 
lighting up with pleasure. “ Tell me the number, Marian^ 
and I will go there the first thing to-morrow morning. 

“ Had you not better let liim know of your intention be- 
forehand?-’^ demanded her cousin, demurely. 

“ I am his wife,'’^ replied Georgie, “ and have a right to 
go wherever he may be. No, I shall not give him any 
notice of my coming. If I did it would afford him the op- 
portunity to make other arrangements, and I want to take 
him unawares. I am sure — quite sure — that when he sees 
me he will not refuse to listen to my explanation. 

“ Apeesf” said Marian. 

“ I have not had time to think of that, dear; but if I 
can not settle the matter privately, I shall do so publicly. 
To refuse to live with me, on my husband's part, is tanta- 
mount to saying I am not worthy to be lived with; and if 
he continues to make that assertion it must be decided by 
law. There are ways and means of bringing such an action 
against him as shall force him to state the reasons he has 
for spreading the scandal you speak of concerning me !' ' 

“ Well, my dear Georgie, it's all over the town, and no 
one could possibly have invented it but himself. Only 
think; what other enemy have you in all England but Cap- 
tain Legh?" 

“ Oh! I don't know!" replied Georgie, wearily. “ Some- 
times I fancy all the world is against me. But I have 
talked enough about myself; let me hear of my other 
friends. How are the Colvilles? Have you seen the Kals- 


MISS HAEIlIi?rGTOiq-’S HUSBAls'D. 207 

tons lately? And is Emily Kir wan married to younff Far- 
-qiiliar yet?’^ 

And so', in reminiscences of both sides of the Atlantic 
the afternoon slipped awaj^ 

When Georgie had left them, Marian said to her mother: 

“ I was so delighted to be able to give her Gerardos ad- 
dress. I don^t suppose anything in the wide world would 
annoy him more than her going to his chambers to find 
him out! He will turn blue with fright. I saw how nerv- 
ous he was to-day whenever I mentioned her name. He 
would ' not ask me to keep the secret of his whereabouts, 
but he took care to inform me he was crossing to Paris to- 
morrow, which I know is untrue. That was in case Georgie 
asked me, I suppose. He will be in a nice quandary when 
he hears her knock at his door. I only wish I could be 
there to see the fun!’^ 

Meanwhile, Georgie, grave but decided, returned to her 
hotel, full of anticipations of the morrow. 

She would not tell Louise of her intention. She had be- 
gun to doubt if that lady was as thoroughly trustworthy as 
she had once believed. She thought how much better it 
would be to keep her ideas to herself until they were 
crowned with success. And then, perhaps, she would ap- 
pear before her with Gerard, to give the lie to her prog- 
nostications of the impossibility of their reunion. 

She brooded all night over what she should say and do 
when she met her husband, and was up early the next 
morning to put it into execution. She w^anted to be with 
Gerard before there was a probability of his leaving his 
chambers. 

She dressed herself in a dark costume that was unlikely 
to attract notice, and had breakfasted and left the hotel 
before Mrs. Fletcher was out of bed. 

It was a mild, clear morning, at the close of Kovember, 
and a sickly sun was trying to. struggle into existence and 
light u]? the world. 

Georgie walked rapidly up the Strand, but when she 
turned into the Adelphi her heart beat so rapidly she was 
obliged to moderate her paces. 

She found it was a different matter to be philosophical 
about her husband when there was no chance of meeting 
him, and to maintain her equanimity when they were about 
to stand face to face. 


208 MISS harkikgtok's husbakd. 

But she found the number of his chambers, and, sum- 
moning all her courage, rang the bell which corresponded 
with it. 

A man appeared to ask her business. 

This was the most trying moment she encountered. How 
she wished then that she had not been so precipitate, but 
had written to Gerard first and asked him to come to the 
hotel! 

But it was too late for regret. The servant was waiting 
for her name. 

“ I want to see Captain Legh!^^ she said, hurriedly. Go 
and tell him his wife, Mrs. Legh, is here!^^ 

The man stared, but went upstairs to deliver the mes- 
sage. 

After the delay of a few minutes he returned to say the 
captain was not at home. 

Georgie knew it was a falsehood, and her blood rose at 
the knowledge. »She looked at her watch. It was not ten 
o^ clock. 

You must have made a mistake!’^ she said, trying to 
speak quietly. Captain Legh can not have left the house 
at this hour! Go and say again that I wish to speak to 
him. 

It is quite useless, madame!'’^ replied the servant. “ I 
have searched everywhere for the captain, but he is not at 
home. His servant says he left the house half an hour 
ago.^" 

‘‘ Then I shall go upstairs and wait until his return. 
Let me pass,^'’ continued Georgie, authoritatively. I am 
Captain Legh^s wife, and shall remain here until I see 
him. 

The man drew back respectfully, though with a look of 
alarm, and preceded her to the first fioor, on which were 
situated Captain Legh^s rooms, to announce her arrival. 
8he was met at the door by a pert chamber-maid. 

‘‘There^s no one at home. You canT come in, she 
said, as she leaned on her broom in the door-way. 

‘‘ This is Captain Legh^’s wife,'’^ interjDOsed the man, 
with a signal of intelligence to the woman. 

“ Oh!^^ ejaculated the chamber-maid, with a toss of the 
head. 

A"es, I am Mrs. Leghj and you will be good enough 


MISS HAREIKGTOIs^S HUSBAND. 


209 


to answer my questions/’ said Georgie, grandly. When 
did Captain Legh go out?” 

“ I can’t say to a minute. About half an hour ago.” 

“ Did he breakfast before he went out?” 

‘‘Not here. It isn’t often he does breakfast here. ” 

“ What did he go out for?” 

“ I’m sure I don’t know. Perhaps to post his letters. 
He didn’t tell me!” 

“ Well, then, I shall remain here till he returns,” said 
Georgie. “ Show me the way to the sitting-room.” 

At this expressed determination both the servants looked 
uneasy. 

Georgie settled the matter by walking past the chamber- 
maid into the first open door, which led to a room as yet 
untouched from the day before. The dust lay thick on 
the mantel-border and the chairs; the cushions on the couch 
were piled one above the other, and some empty glasses 
and dishes on the table showed that Gerard had entertained 
his friends the previous evening. A piano at one end of 
the apartment stood open, with some music scattered on it, 
and Georgie shuddered as she caught sight of a knot of 
blue ribbon that was lying on the fioor. The room was full 
of pretty ornaments, amongst which were several photo- 
graphs of female beauty; but she did not see one of her 
own face amongst them. Gerard seemed carefully to have 
eliminated everything that should remind him he had so 
inconvenient an incumbrance as a wife. 

She was still examining the different articles when the 
pert chamber-maid followed her into the room. 

“ If it’s not inconveniencing you, ma’am,” she said, 
“ I’ll put things to rights a bit. The captain was up late 
last night, and I’ve had no time to clean till now.” 

“ I will not stand in your way,” replied Georgie; “ I will 
go to my husband’s bedroom.” 

There were but three chambers in the suite, and two she 
had already looked into. She walked deliberately to the 
third, and tried the handle of the door. It was locked. 
She turned round. The woman had followed her, anxious 
and uncomfortable. 

“ You can’t go in,” she said, nervously; “ the captain 
locked the door himself. ’ ’ 

“Is he in the habit of locking his door in the morning 
before his room is doner” 


MISS HARKIXGTO^f's HUSBAND. 


210 


“Yes — ^no — I^m sure I canH say, ma’am; only it’s 
locked as you see, and / haven’t got the key!” 

“ Never mind,” replied Georgie, calmly, “ I will wait in 
the sitting-room. Go on with your dusting. It is of no 
consequence to me, for I shall remain here until my hus- 
band returns!” 


CHAPTER XXXI. 

THE LAST CHANGE. 

Finding it impossible to j^ersuade the unwelcome visitor 
to take her leave, the chamber-maid renewed her work with 
unnecessary vigor, knocking about the furniture, banging 
the cushions and chairs, and kicking up as much dust as 
she possibly could. 

Georgie Harrington felt all the indignity of the situa- 
tion, but she bore it in silence. The stake she had at issue 
was too important to be set aside for the vagaries of a serv- 
ant. 

As eleven o’clock struck the woman lighted the fire, and 
then, going out into the passage, called some one from be- 
low, with whom she held a colloquy at the front-door. 

In a few minutes a respectably dressed, middle-aged 
w^oman advanced to Georgie’s side, and made her a court- 
esy. 

“lam Mrs. Holland, ma’am, the housekeeper of the 
chambers; and as the young woman’s work is done, I am 
about to lock up. ” 

“ To lock up?” repeated Georgie, interrogatively. 

“A^es, ma’am! The young woman only comes in the 
morning, and takes her meals elsewhere; and when Cap- 
tain Legh is away it’s my duty to lock up after her, and 
see that everything is safe!” 

“ I suppose you mean that you want me to go, Mrs. Hol- 
land? But Captain Leigh is my husband, and I am wait- 
ing to see him. ” 

“ A’es, ma’am, so I understand; but the gentleman’s out, 
and* there’s no saying when he may be home again — he 
might be gone for days — so that it is quite impossible you 
can remain here. A^ou must see that yourself!” 

“ But surely he would not leave London without letting 


MISS harkixgtok's husband. 211 

you know. The girl said he had gone out to post some 
letters 

“ She doesnT know anything!^'’ replied the housekeeper, 
tossing her head. ‘‘ Her work is over, and she is gomg 
home, and I must trouble you, ma^am, to go too.^^ 

Georgie saw that further expostulations might lead to 
insult, and so she rose to comply with the request. 

‘‘I suppose it ^oill be useless my waiting longer, she 
said, hut I am very much vexed to have missed him!^-’ 

‘‘You should have made an appointment,^^ replied Mrs. 
Holland, patronizingly. “ Gentleman as is here, there, 
and everywhere, ainT to he depended on. This way, if 
you please, ma^am,-’^ she continued, as she piloted Georgie 
to the door. 

The young wife walked down-stairs, feeling ashamed and 
downcast, as if her identity was doubted, and her motives 
were under suspicion. 

As she reached the vestibule she missed her umbrella, 
and it was raining. She ran lightly upstairs again in order 
to reclaim it before the housekeeper should lock the door of 
her husband^’s chambers. 

As she crossed the threshold she heard the tittering 
laughter of the two women in the parlor, and saw at a 
glance that the door of the locked bedroom stood partly 
open. 

In a moment she guessed the truth. 

Gerard had been in there all the while. He had insti- 
gated his servants to deceive her. 

She sprung^ toward the door. It was slammed and locked 
again in her idee. 

“Gerard! Gerard she cried, beating with her hand 
upon the panels. “ Gerard, do speak to me!^^ 

But there was no response. 

The housekeeper hurried into the passage. 

“ Lor^, ma^am, what would yoii be at?^^ she said, inso- 
lently. 

Georgie turned upon her like a fury. 

“Hold your tongue she exclaimed. “I require 
neither your assistance nor your advice 

And then she turned back again, horribly humiliated, 
and burning with indignation, and walked down-stairs, and 
out into the'OjDen street and the rain. 


212 MISS hakrij?-gtok"s husband. 

Meanwhile, inside that locked door. Captain Legh was 
sitting at a table, with his head buried in his hands. 

He, too, had been suffering horribly— more so, perhaps, 
than his wdfe; for the misery we bring on our own heads is 
the hardest to bear. And the knowledge that she was so 
near had been torture to him, that had culminated with 
the sound of her voice calling his name. 

How he had longed to rush out and clasp her in his 
arms! But the demon of suspicion kept him back. The 
thought of the unknown rival ground into his very soul. 
She was not really his — so he told himself. She had only 
come back for the sake of policy. She could not love liim, 
or she would not have been silent for so long! 

And so he nursed his doubt, and made himself doubly 
wretched, whilst the sweet, well-remembered voice called 

Gerard! Gerard!^' outside his door. 

When Georgie gained the street she ran into Brabazon 
Chauncey^s office, which was only a few paces off. Her 
first impulse was to hide herself where no one could see the 
shame dejffcted in her face; and in her old friend ^s sanctum 
she knew she should be safe. 

‘‘Oh! Mr. Chauncey!^^ she exclaimed, as she found her- 
self alone with him, “ I have been so horribly insulted! I 
went to Captain Legh^s chambers, that we might come to 
some explanation together, and he locked himself in his 
room and told his servants to say that he was out, and they 
were all laughing in their sleeves to see me made such a 
dupe of!’^ 

And as she concluded Georgie hid her crimson face in 
her hands and burst into tears. Mr. Chauncey was genu- 
inely concerned by her distress. 

“ My dear girl,^^ he said, “ why did you go near him? 
If you had only asked my advice I should have entreated 
you not to do so. Captain Legh^s business is to go to you. 
To his chambers, too! Oh! Georgie, you are very impru- 
dent 

“ Why should I not go to his chambers? she replied, 
raising her flushed face to his. “ I am his wife — nothing 
ean unmake that — and have a right to go wherever he may 
be.^^ 

“ And a right to be insulted into the bargain, it would 
seem. What must his servants think of his treatment of 


MISS HARKINGTOX^S HUSBAKD. 


213 


yon? You lower your own dignity, my dear child, by ex- 
posing yourself to it/^ 

“Oh! I, am past caring what other people think or say, 
Mr. Chauncey! My husband must meet me, and refute 
the insinuations he has made against me, or the matter will 
have to be settled by law. Give me pen and paper, and let 
me write to him, since he refuses to speak. 

Be careful what you say,^^ observed Brabazon Chaun- 
cey, as he produced what she asked for. ‘‘You are so 
rash', Georgie, I am always afraid of your committing 
yourself. 

“I am his wife,^^ repeated the girl, “ and I can not 
lower myself by any entreaties for a reconciliation. I must 
be reconciled to him, Mr. Chauncey; my life will be worth 
nothing to me without it!^^ 

Mr. Chauncey shrugged his shouldei^s. 

‘ ‘ I have not lived so long in the world, my dear, with- 
out knowing that you women are incomprehensible creat- 
ures; and the very thing that is worst for you is the thing 
you most desire and cling to. ^ ^ 

“Will you hold your tongue," said Georgie, “ and let 
me write 

But she was very careful he should not get a ^eej) at her 
letter. 

“ My dearest Gerard,*— I have been to your chambers 
and waited there for an hour, but the servants said you 
were not at home. I do not believe it is true; and yet I 
can not think you could have been so near and ref usedr to 
see or speak to me! What have I done to deserve such 
treatment at your hands? If the sneer in your last letter 
means that I have any friend I love better than yourself, it 
is without foundation. I have never loved any man in the 
world but you. I am staying at Morley^s Hotel. I entreat 
of you to come and see me there. I will remain in all to- 
day on purpose to receive you. Dear Gerard, only come 
and see me, and this miserable misunderstanding will be 
made up forever. 

“ Your aJffectionate 

“ Georgie. 

She put the letter in an envelope, and hurriedly sealed 
and directed it. 


214 MISS HAREIKGTON^S HUSBAND. 

Will you send it at once?'’^ she asked feverishly of Mr.. 
Chauncey, this very minute?'’^ 

‘‘ Certaml}^, this very minute ” he replied; ^‘Captain 
Legh can only wait fifteen months without hearing from 
you, so we mustnH try his patience too much."’^ 

“ You are very hard upon him, Mr. Chauncey. You seem 
to forget I never wrote to him. ^ 

AYe woiYt discuss the matter further, my dear. But 
your note shall be delivered at once,-’ ^ and, calling an office- 
boy, he dispatched him with it on the spot. 

And now let me take you home, Georgie. My carriage 
is at the door, and it is raining fast. 

“ Oh! yes, take me home,^^ she acquiesced, Gerard 
might come round to see me at any moment. 

But as they drove to the hotel she sighed frequently. 

‘‘I can’t have you fretting over that worthless fellow 
like this,” said Mr. Chauncey. ‘‘Let me see, to-day is 
Saturday. AYhat are you going to do to-morrow?” 

“ Yothing, that I know of.” 

“ AYell, then I shall come over in the afternoon, if it is 
fine, and drive you and Sissy down to Richmond to dinner. 
Would you like it?” 

“Oh! yes,” she said indifferently, “ I dare say it will be 
very pleasant. ” 

‘ ‘ That is a bargain then, ” he said, as he handed her out 
at the door. “ Perhaps I shall bring Willy Champion, of 
the Excelsior, with me. He is dying to be introduced to 
you!” 

She nodded to him with a faint smile as they parted; but 
he thought, as he watched her mount the steps to the hotel, 
how much she had already lost of the bloom she brought 
over the Atlantic with her. Two days of suspense and dis- 
appointment seemed to have added ten years to her age. 
Mrs. Fletcher was all curiosity to learn where Georgie had 
been so early in the morning, but she was not gratified. 
Miss Harrington had resolved to say nothing of her expedi- 
tion until she knew its results. 

She sent Sissy and Rachel off to the Aquarium, and sat 
all the afternoon at the window of her sitting-room, watch- 
ing the visitors who called at the hotel, but Captain Legh 
was not amongst them. At last the five o’clock post ar- 
rived, and brought a letter from him. Georgie tore it 
open. It was as cold as before. 


MISS harrin-gtok's husbakd. 215 

I have received your demand j^or an interview, and my 
answer is an unqualified refusal. There is nothing left to 
be said between you and me! You left this country against 
my expressed wishes, and the link was broken between us 
then and there. I understand from my servants that jj’ou 
€ ame to my chambers this morning and made a most un- 
pleasant scene. I must request this kind of thing is not 
repeated or you will drive me to leave them. As it is, I 
quit town to-morrow for Paris, and shall be absent for an 
indefinite period. If you have any further communications 
to make to me they had better be sent through my lawyer. 

“ Gerard Legh. 

When Georgie Harrington received this letter, she was 
like a mad creature. At first she laughed hysterically and 
derisively, and stamped about the room in a fury. And 
then she fell to weeping so violently that Mrs. Fletcher be- 
came quite alarmed. 

‘‘ What is the matter?’^ she cried. Surely you do not 
still care sufficiently for that man to make yourself ill for 
love of him?^^ 

‘‘Oh! Louise, have you not yet read my heart! Can not 
you see that I have never cared for any one else in all my 
life? And now that he seems to be slipping from my 
grasp, I feel as if I had never fathomed the depth of my 
love for him before. It may be weak and foolish, but I 
love him — I love him from the very bottom of my heart !^^ 

“ Well, I really canT understand it/^ said Louise; “ for 
if you loved him, why did you leave him?’^ 

“ I doiiT understand myself. He drove me nearly wild 
with jealousy, and I did not calculate what I was about. 
But I know what I feel. I know I have been wretched 
ever since we parted, and that I shall have no peace till we 
come together again. 

Then her mood changed. 

“ It is some ivoman who has come between us!^^ she ex- 
-claimed, as she began to pace up and down the carpet, “ I 
am sure of it. No one but a woman could be so cruel. 
But I will find her out as sure as my name is Georgie Har- 
rington, and she shall rue the hour she meddled with my 
affairs to the last day of her life. I am a good lover, 
Louise, but I am a good hater ako, and I hate that woman 
without knowing her!^^ 


216 


MISS harki^tgton's husband. 


I douH know why you should be so sure iVs a woman/^ 
said Mrs. Fletcher ; I don^'t think men have behaved so 
well to you that you should have a better opinion of them 
than of us.^^ 

“ A man^s way of behaving badly is not the same as a 
wornan^ Louise. Women fawn over us and flatter us to 
our faces, and insinuate the most horrible things against 
us directly our backs are turned. I feel certain that Ger- 
ardos mind has been poisoned against me by some woman. 

“ He must be very weak to believe what anybody may 
tell him/o remarked Mrs. Fletcher. ‘‘ I am sure I always 
stood up for you. I have told him again and again that I 
was certain there was no cause whatever for his being jeal- 
ous of Mr. Brabazon Chauncey, and that there was nothing 
like a flirtation between youl^o 

‘‘ I hardly think your championship can have been needed 
in that direction/'’ replied Georgie, coldly. Gerard can 
only have been joking when he said anything about Mr. 
Chauncey; but I can not stand this state of things any 
longer. It is most unfair to me to cast such a slur on my 
re23utation. I shall write to my husband, and tell him that 
if he goes to Paris without seeing me it is all over between 
us forever.'’^ 

And, seizing her writing-materials, Georgie indited the 
following lines : 


‘‘ Gerard, — I give you one last chance. I 7mist and 
will see you before you leave for Paris, or I shall put the 
whole case in my solicitor's hands. I am not going to suffer 
the indignity you put upon me in silence. I have done 
nothing that your Wife need blush to own, and I claim my 
right to be by your side as before. Failing this, I shall in- 
stitute legal proceedings against you for a separation, when 
you will be forced to state your reasons for your present 
conduct. 

But oh, my love, don^t drive me to it! Think how we 
have loved each other in the past, and let us try to begin a 
new life together. I am so sincerely, heartily sorry for my 
share in it all! I ask your pardon on my knees. HonT 
drive me from you, Gerard. If you do, I shall return to. 
America, and never see England again. 

“ Yoiu’ affectionate 

Georgie. 


MISS hakringtok's husbakd. 217 

She sent this note to her husband by a private messen- 
ger, with orders to wait for an answer. After the lapse of 
an hour he returned with it. 

The f)aper contained but a few words, but they made 
Oeorgie almost happy: 

Give me a few hours to consider. You shall receive 
my answer on Monday. 

Excelsior!’^ she cried, smiling through her tears. If 
he stops to consider I am sure he will accede. 

“ He only wants time to consult his lawyer, said Mrs. 
Eletcher. ‘‘ Your last note has frightened him. He 
doesnT know how much of it is true, and he is going to find 
out. My dear Georgie, you are very weak; any one could 
deceive you.^^ 

“ I supiDose I am weak with respect to him!^^ she an- 
swered, sighing; “ but I really meant what I said. If he 
persists in his determination I shall sue him for a separa- 
tion."^ 

“ I don’t believe you will,” said Louise Fletcher, in an 
unpleasant tone, “ It’s all talk. When it came to the 
. point you would draw back. For my own part, I am posi- 
tively sick of the subject. Do let us speak of something 
else. So you are going to Richmond to-morrow with Mr. 
Chauncey? That will do you good. I wish he had asked 
me too.” 

“ I am not sure that I shall go,” replied Georgie; “ in 
fact I do not think I shall. Foolish as it was, Gerard al- 
ways had a prejudice against dear old Brabazon Chauncey; 
and if he heard I had gone down to .Richmond with him he 
might be angry, and it would be a pity to vex him now, 
just as matters have a chance of coming roi\nd again. Xo; 
I sha’n’t go to Richmond. I shall say I don’t feel well 
enough.” 

“ That will hardly be fair to Mr. Chauncey.” 

“ Oil! he won’t mind! He is awfully good-natured. He 
only proposed it to please me. ’ ’ 

“ But why should you shut yourself up just because Ca])- 
tain Legh chooses to make himself ridiculous?” argued 
Mrs. Fletcher. “ Really, Georgie, you are a goose! Are 
you going to bind yourself down never to look at another 
man because your husband has not got common sense? Is 


218 


MISS HARRINGTON ^S HUSBAND. 


the old round of jealousy to begin over again? It strikes 
me you had better keep out of it if it is.’’^ 

“ Oh, no, I hope not! But just at this moment, you see, 
my position is very critical, and I should be so sorry to do 
anything to disturb his confidence again. Of course it is 
silly— too unutterably silly — but I love this silly man. That 
is all r 

I am very sorry for you,^^ replied Mrs. Fletcher, in a 
freezing tone. “ I can imagine your living with him again 
as a matter of policy; but for love — never 1^^ 

Oh, Louise, you do not know what love is!^^ cried 
Georgie; or you would never talk like that about it! Had 
it ever any sense or reason? Did it ever stop to consider or 
to argue? If it did it would not be love — which sutlers all, 
and forgives all, and forgets all! And that is how I love 
Gerard. It is of no use denying it any longer. My pride 
has stood out against the truth for a long time, but I think 
I have no pride left. It seems to have been all washed 
away by my tears 

‘‘ Worse luck for you !^^ said her bosom friend, unsym* 
pathetically. 


CHAPTER XXXH. 

A SECOND DISAPPOINTMENT. 

On the following day, Sunday, Mrs. Fletcher went out 
to dine with some friends, and Georgie Harrington (true to 
her resolution) did not drive down to Richmond with Mr. 
Chauncey. 

He sniiled sarcastically and shrugged his shoulders when 
he heard her decision and the reason of it; but perhaps he 
admired her all the more for her discretion. He consoled 
himself by taking Sissy to the Zoological Gardens instead; 
and Georgie went to see the Lacys, and report the progress, 
she has made. She could not help fancying that Marian 
looked disappointed when she expressed a conviction that 
all would yet be right between her husband and herself, 
though neither she nor her mother went so far as to say so. 

Of course, my dear,^'’ observed Mrs. Lacy, “if you 
choose to try to live with Captain Legh again it is your 
own business, and no one has the right to interfere with 
you. But I confess I should consider it very lowering for 


MISS HARRINGTOK^S HUSBAKD. 219 

a daughter of my own. The man has not only ill-treated 
and neglected you; he has actually taken away your rejou- 
tation. What more could he have done? And yet he is to 
be coaxed into allowing himself to be forgiven and restored 
to his former place. It is incredible to me.-’ ^ 

Viewed in this light, her conduct certainly did look infra 
'dig.f and Georgie hung her head abashed and uncertain. 

‘‘ Everybody is very discouraging/’ she said, presently; 
and no one seems to think there is any duty to be consid- 
ered in the matter. Gerard behaved badly to me — I ac- 
knowledge that. I think I had spoiled, and humored, and 
‘flattered him to such a degree that he thought he could 
have it all his own way. I could do nothing with him-. 
He was like a horse that had got the bit between his teeth, 
and I thought the best thing was to leave him, and let him 
come to his senses by himself. That was the reason I went 
to America.” 

And he took advantage of your absence to behave 
worse than ever. ” 

“ I have still to get evidence of that. Aunt Laura. •” 

‘‘ Well, my dear, I should think you might take my 
word for it, though there are plenty of witnesses if required. 
All London knows how Captain Legh went on. The scan- 
dal was in ever3^body’s mouth.-” 

I am very sorry, and very much ashamed,” she said, 
but I had no right to leave him for so long, and especial- 
ly without a word of kindness. Doubtless he thought I 
should never come back again. It is more than half my 
fault; I am painfully conscious of that.” 

Really, Georgie, you are a mystery!” exclaimed Ma- 
rian. Where is all your spirit gone? Perhaps it is 3^our 
fault also that Gerard went all over London, saying you 
had a lover in New York!” 

But did he do so?” answered Georgie, suddenly flush- 
ing up. I have asked various people already, and they 
say they have heard notlung of it. A story against a j^ro- 
fessional gets wind at once in London, especially in her own 
circle. Stories may have been set afloat against me; but if 
so, I think they are much more likely to have emanated 
from the lips of some woman than from those of my hus- 
band. Gerard, with all his faults, is at least a gentleman. ” 

My dear Georgie, one would really imagine you doubted 


220 MISS hakeington's husband. 

the word of your own relations!'’^ exclaimed Mrs. Lacy^ 
with some offense. 

‘‘ Leave her alone, mamma, and let her go her own 
way,^Mnterposed Marian. ‘‘Before long she will be the 
first to acknowledge that you were right.'’'’ 

“ Perhaps I shall, Marian,-” replied her cousin, sadly. 
“ I am not so confident of the success of my experiment as 
you seem to think; but I am sure it is my duty to try it, 
and I mean to do my duty, whatever may be the result I 

“ Well, you are not even sure yet that Captain Legh will 
condescend to give you the chance of trying. I fancy thero 
are a few obstacles in the way. Lady Henry Masham will 
do all in her power to prevent it, for one. 

“ Lady Henry Masham! What has she to do with us?” 

“ Oh! my dear! perhaps you are not aware that Gerard 
caught his typhoid fever at Hatleigh House, and that her 
ladyship nursed him through it like a sister. A nice sister 
I should say! Sylvia Marchmont was invited at the same 
time, but she and Lady Henry fell out over Captain Legh, 
and it ended by Miss Sylvia being turned out of the house. 
So you see what nice things have been going on in your ab- 
sence.’^ 

Georgie sat silent and troubled. 

“ I have heard something about Sylvia before,” she said,, 
in a low voice. “ Some one — from Hull, I think — sent me 
an anonymous packet to New York, containing some torn 
sheets from Geraixi’s diary. It was very dishonorable to 
take them, still worse to send them to me; but they told 
me about Sylvia in his own handwriting. ” 

Marian had grown scarlet at the mention of the stolen 
extracts, but Mrs. Lacy lifted her hands in astonishment. 

“ And after that you will still go back to him, Georgie! 
To what purpose?” 

“ To prove to him that I love him better than, any other 
woman in the world. Aunt Laura, do not let us "discuss 
this matter any further; it is only giving me pain, and it 
will not alter my decision."” 

“ Well, my dear, you will hardly expect your friends to* 
greet Captain Legh with the enthusiasm you seem disposed 
to show toward him yourself. Your memory may be a 
conveniently elastic one, but you can not expect us all to be 
so forgetful.” 

“ I shall not make any demands that my friends are un- 


MISS harri:n'gtok's husband. 


221 


willing to fulfill. Aunt Laura. And you will at least give 
Gerard the credit of never having been exigeant in exacting 
any intimacy from the members of my family. 

As the chief complaint against Captain Legh in times^ 
gone past had been the want of cordiality he showed toward 
themselves, this remark silenced the Lacys for awhile, and 
left Georgie at liberty to pursue her way homeward. 

She spent the night in a fever of anxiety to learn what 
news the morning would bring her; but it was not until 
twelve o^clock that the following letter was put into her 
hand : 

“ My dearest Georgie, — I have been reading over your 
letters again and again, and I have come to the conclusion 
to do as you wish. I will meet you, and hear your expla- 
nations from your own mouth. But I can not come to 
Morley^s, where probably every waiter has by this time got 
an inkling of the truth. I would rather meet you some- 
where out of town. If you will go down to Brighton, and 
let me know when and where, I will put off my journey to 
Paris, and join you there, and I hope that everything may 
be settled to our mutual satisfaction. A line in reply will 
suffice for 

‘‘ Yours affectionately, 

“ Gerard Legh.^^ 

My dearest Georgie ‘‘ Yours affectionately , Gerard 

Leghr’ 

The worjis, although so commonplace, danced before 
Georgie ^s eyes in prismatic colors through the glad tears 
that twinkled in them. 

She. did not lose a minute in sending him the answer, 
“ I shall go down to Morrison^s Hotel at Brighton by the 
four o^clock express,'’^ and set Rachel to work to pack her 
box, as she was going at once to join Captain Legh in 
Brighton. 

She made no secret of her intention; and notwithstand- 
ing Mrs. Fletcher ^s gloomy looks, dilated on the probable 
consequence of her undertaking. 

‘‘ I know how it will end, Louise; Gerard will take me 
to Paris with him. Oh! what a holiday it will be! And, in 
that case, you will look after Sissy and Rachel, woiiT you, 
dear? I do not suppose we shall be absent more than a 
fortnight. 


222 MISS HARRIXGTOX'S HUSBAND. 

‘‘ I will if I remain here/^ replied her friend, dubiously; 

but, as I told you, this hotel is too expensive for me for 
long, and I am thinking of boarding with the Camberleys 
in Kensington. 

“Not just yet, Louise; stay here as niy guest till I re- 
turn. You know how glad I shall be to defray all expenses 
whilst you are looking after my little Sissy. 

“ You seem to make very certain of the result of your 
interview with Captain Legh. 

Georgie^s bright face clouded. 

“ Am I too certain, do you think? Don^t scold me for 
it, Louise; let me be a little hopeful; it is so long since I 
have known the feeling. No, Kachel, you are not going 
with me to-day. If I do not go on to Paris with Captain 
Legh, I shall probably send for you and Miss Sissy. But I 
shall write to Mrs. Fletcher and tell her all my plans; and 
meanwhile you will remain here under her direction. 

She started in the same cheerful spirit, never doubting 
but that her star was already in the ascendant. At the Vic- 
toria Station she looked eagerly about her, almost expecting 
to see her husband ^s well-known. figure, and then blamed 
herself for being so childish as to feel disappointed because 
he was not there. 

As soon as she arrived at Brighton she drove to Morri- 
son^s Hotel, and ordered a suite of rooms. 

“ My husband. Captain Legh, will join me here to-mor- 
row,^^ she said, with a feeling of pride, to the head-waiter, 
“and will require a dressing- and bath-room. Bring me 
the visitors’-book, that I may inscribe my name. And 
she wrote it down in full, as she very seldom did, “ The 
Honor able Mrs. Gerard Legh !” and thought how nice it 
looked when it was written. 

But the evening hours, spent all alone, dragged wearily 
away; and she could not help wondering, had.5/^(3 been the 
one to keep the appointment, if she could have let Gerard 
wait for her so long. She was obliged to devise some 
method by which to make the time pass, and amused her- 
self whilst daylight lasted by looking at the sea, and think- 
ing that to-morrow she and Gerard might be doing the 
same thing together. 

She retired to rest as early as was possible, hoping she 
might sleep till the morning light; but.it was a futile hope. 
A dozen times she left her bed to pace up and down the 


MISS HARRII^rGTOIs'S HUSBAKD. 


22d 


room, and picture the meeting in store for her. What 
should she say or do to make her husband understand how 
deeply she regretted the past — how freely she forgave his 
share in it — how earnestly she desired to make him happy 
for the future? Once let her find her way to his arms 
again, she thought, and she defied all womankind to drive 
her thence. 

At last she lay down, utterly exhausted by the excite- 
ment she had passed through, and slept until nine o^clock. 
The first thing she thought of on waking was her letter. 
Surely the morning post from London must have come in? 
She rang her bell, and asked the question. The chamber- 
maid said it had arrived an hour before. Georgie sent her 
down to make inquiries on the subject. She was certain 
there must be some mistake; a letter for her was lying in 
the hall below. But she only received an answer in the 
negative. No letter for Mrs. Legh or Miss Harrington had 
been left at the hotel. 

The disappointment was keen but brief; and in another 
minute Georgie was quite ready to take a hopeful view of 
the matter. Gerard had never said he would write; he had 
promised to join her. He knew now where she was, and 
would probably be down by the eleven o^ clock train. 

Haying settled this with herself, Georgie got up and 
dressed with the utmost care. She arranged her sunny 
chestnut hair half a dozen times before she was satisfied 
with its ap23earance, and robed her graceful figure in a 
^silken peignoir of eau-de-nil, in which she looked like a 
sea-nymph who had assumed modern costume for a short 
time to come on shore at Brighton. Her anticipations of 
future happiness had flushed her usually pale cheek like a 
delicate sea-shell, and her blue eyes were feverishly brilliant. 

She could not eat her breakfast; but kept on wandering' 
restlessly between the table and the window, first wondering 
if Captain Legh could possibly get down so early, and then 
laughing at herself for being such a simpleton as to sup- 
pose so lazy a fellow would be induced to leave his bed and 
get into a train by eight o^ clock in the morning. 

At last, when noon had struck, and she was nearly ilj. 
from the waiting and suspense, a telegram was put into her 
hand. Surely it was to tell her the train by which to ex- 
pect him! But when she opened it the words ran thus: 


224 


MISS HAREIKGTOJT^S HUSBAN’D. 


‘‘ Can not come to Brighton. Have changed my mind. 
Will write.’ ^ 

The pink paper fell out of Georgie^s nerveless hands and 
fluttered to the ground. It was a twofold blow, coming 
after that day and night of happy anticipation. “ Have 
•changed my mind.” What could have made him change 
his mind? 

She sat down in mute despair, with her two hands clasped 
over her throbbing brain, and tried for hours to solve this 
puzzle, but in vain. 

What could he have heard more than he had already 
heard? There was nothing left to tell. Her life might lie 
open before him like a book! Why should he have ac- 
quiesced in her wishes yesterday and denied them to-day? 
What was the use of thinking? There was nothing for her 
to do but to wait as patiently as she could for the letter of 
•explanation that was to follow. By the time it came she 
was prepared for anything, and read it with dry eyes and a 
steady voice. 

‘‘ Your letters bore so' much the appearance of truth that 
I wrote to you yesterday that I would meet you (as you en- 
treated me to do), and hear your explanation of the rumors 
that have reached me during your absence. Since then, 
h-owever, I have been informed that you had not been a day 
in England before you were to be seen driving about town 
in intimate intercourse with Mr. Brabazon Ohauncey, a 
man to whom you know I always had an unmitigated aver- 
sion, and that on Sunday you dined with him at Eichmond. 
This shows me so palpably that you have not the faintest 
3iotion of your duty as a wife that I cancel the promise I 
made to see you. From this moment let all connection be 
severed between us. 

Gerard Legh. 

When Georgie read this letter the predominant feelings 
in her breast were a righteous anger and indignation that 
her husband should dare to insult her in so pointed a man- 
ner. All the softness she had felt toward him ever since 
she heard of his illness fled, and she turned cold, and hard, 
and vindictive. 

Since then!” she repeated to herself, with clinched 
teeth. ‘‘ Between yesterday at noon, when he sent me that 


MISS haerimgtom's husband. 


225 


note and received my reply, and this morning when he 
wrote this letter! Then he must have heard it last night! 
Where was he last night, and who told him? I will lind 
out, if I search till the day of my death. A dozen peoj^le 
may have known that Chauncey drove me back to Morley^s 
— why should I conceal it? — or that he intended to take me 
down to Richmond ! He may have mentioned it himself, or 
I may have done so; it is so difficult to remember! But 
who is it that has been cruel enough to repeat the story 
with a malevolent intention to Gerard? That is the ques- 
tion that I must and will have answered! Well,^-’ crum- 
pling up the note between her fingers, T suppose it is really 
over now between us, for I can do no more. I have hu- 
miliated myself quite sufficiently before him. It is his turn 
now; and until he comes to my feet I shall make no sign. 
I have given him his last chance of peace with honor! If 
he wants it now he will have to ask for it, for I shall never 
sjjeak again! But oh, my heart, can it really be over? 
How shall I go through my wwk and live my life with- 
out him?^'^ 

^e threw herself on the bed face downward as she spoke, 
and all the response the chamber-maid could get to her vari- 
ous offers of assistance was that the Honorable Mrs. Gerard 
Legh was ill and tired, and wished to be left completely 
alone ! 


CHAPTER XXXIH. 

A NEW' FRIEND. 

It was her last w^eakness. 

When Georgie Harrington rose in the morning she was 
firmly resolved upon two points. One was that, sooner or 
later, she would find out the person who had come between 
her husband and herself. The other, that she would so 
live her life before the world that Captain Legh should bit- 
terly rue the day when he had demanded that all connec- 
tion should cease between them. 

IShe had felt tenderly, toward him lately. All the flood- 
gates of her imperishable love had been thrown open; and 
had they met she would have been ready to throw herself, 
her fortune, and everything she possessed, at his f^et. 

But a second rebuff was more than she could bear. It 
8 


226 


MISS HAREIMGTON'S HrSBAND. 


made her feel she had humbled herself once too often, and 
she had to call on her natural' pride to support her under it. 

So she had done with entreaties forever. She had sighed 
her last sigh — wept her last tear. Whatever she suHered 
in the future should be hidden within the recesses of her 
own breast. She would go into public, and win her tri- 
umphs as of old. She would reinstate herself in society,, 
and court all the admiration she could gain. She would 
show Captain Legh that his verdict was not the verdict of 
the world, and that if he did not consider her worthy of his; 
regard there were plenty who did. 

Georgie was not the sort of woman to arrive at this de- 
termination, and then sit down and cry instead. She was 
impulsive and warm-hearted, but she had also a large 
amount of common sense and resolution. 

As soon as the shock of looking her shattered hopes in 
the face was over she commenced to act, and her first move 
was to WTite directions to Louise Fletcher to send Sissy and 
Rachel down to Brighton at once. 

She did not give her friend any reason for the alteration 
in her plans; she knew that she would hear it soon enough 
— -or, if not, that it could be confided to her with more dig- 
nity at a later period. The only person to whom she told 
the truth was Mr. Brabazon Chauncey, and to him she sent 
a letter that brought him at once to Brighton. 

“ My dear girl,^^ he said, as he met her, ‘‘ we wonT dis- 
cuss this business. It is one of those things to which the 
old proverb applies, ‘ Least said, soonest mended. I have 
only come to ask if I can be of any possible use to you or 
Sissy. 

“ You have only come, as you always do,^^ said Georgie,, 
smiling, “ to try and help me out of a difficulty. But I 
am not so do\vncast as you may imagine. That last letter 
has cured me. I see now how foolish I was to believe that 
he was capable of improvement. My pride has had a whip- 
ping, lihat is all; and there is really no harm done. On the 
contrary, I feel as if I had come out of an illness, and was 
ready to begin my life over again. 

“ And what is that life to be, Georgie? Would you like 
to go back to America? 1 have just received a heart- 
broken letter from Maxim. He says that, notwithstanding 
the forfeit you paid him of thirty-two thousand dollars (an 
exorbitant sum, by the way, my dear, and I wonder yon 


MISS HARKIKGTOM^S HUSBAND. 


227 


ever consented to it), lie feels he has lost a fortune through 
your canceling your engagement, and begs me, as soon as 
it is possible, to make another contract with you on his ac- 
count. You can go back to the States to-morrow if you 
choose. 

‘‘ But what are you saying, Mr. Chauncey? I never paid 
Mr. Maxim that sum! It was hoo thousand dollars! I 
have the check stump in my desk. 

Brabazon Chauncey pulled a letter out of his pocket. 

Here it is in Maximus own handwriting; thirty-two 
thousand dollars! and I don^t think he^s a man to hide his 
light under a bushel.'’^ 

‘‘I don’t understand it at all,” replied Georgie; ‘‘a 
friend paid him the money for me, and I don’t remember 
his giving me any receipt; but I am sure it was not so 
much as you say. ” 

Never mind that now. It was a swindle on old Max- 
im’s part; but it’s done past recall. The question is, will 
youYeturn to America?” 

‘‘ Not at present, Mr. Chauncey. .The attitude which 
Captain Legh has assumed toward me is an imputation on 
my character, and I mean to live it down. Were I to go 
back to America it would look like guilt. He might say 
anything of me as soon as my back was turned, and the 
world might believe him. No! I have made up my mind 
to remain in England, and show him that I have not for- 
feited my place in society, whatever he may be insolent 
enough to say or think. I will do twice as well as I have 
done before, and I will lead such a life that the world it- 
self shall make him confess he is mistaken. I will never 
receive him back again, Mr. Chauncey, until he asks my 
forgiveness on his bended knees. And he shall do it of his 
own accord, for I will not raise my little finger to Oncour- 
age him!” 

Bravely spoken, Georgie! I am rejoiced to find he has 
left you with so much spirit. He will be the first to regret 
this rupture, never fear; that is, if he has any manliness 
left in. him. Well, if it is to be London, what do you say 
to the Eoyal Consort? Mr. Annesley was in my office, 
talking about you yesterday. He wants you to create a 
part in a new melodrama, by Peril and Ommaney. It will 
be a big piece, with a ‘ star ’ part, and the cast is fine. 


228 


MISS HAERINGTOM^S HUSBAND. 


They open in March, which will give you time for a holi- 
day, if you want it/’ 

I do want it very much, and I shall spend it quietly 
down here with Sissy. And if Annesley will give my 
terms, I will take the engagement at the Eoyal Consort, 
It is just the house to suit me.^’ 

“ Of course he will give your terms; I will take care of 
that. Well, then, we are to consider it settled? I know 
you will like the character; a wife who shoots her husband 
in a fit of jealousy and then poisons herself; just the sort of 
thing youM do! It will suit you down to the ground. 

“ What a libel!'’^ cried Georgie, with affected gayety. 

Am I doing that sort of thing now? Eeally, Mr. Ohaun- 
cey, you give me no credit at all for being sensible. 

“ I think you^re just the bravest and most sensible wom- 
an I ever met,^^ he answered. “ But, Georgie, I want to 
warn you against one thing! DonH tell too much of your 
affairs to Mrs. Eletcher; she is not only foolish, she is un- 
trustworthy. She repeats everything she hears, with her 
own embellishments; and she is not true to you!” 

Georgie looked v^y grave! 

‘ ‘ I am sorry to hear you say that, Mr. Chauncey. I was 
hurt by several little things that occurred between Louise and 
me whilst we were away, but I thought they were more d ue to 
her folly than anything else. I have always beliiived her to 
be attached to me, and quite incapable of repeating any- 
thing to my detriment. Of all women, she best knows- 
what I have suffered; I have not kept a circumstance of 
my married life from her; surely she could never be so- 
base as to misrepresent my feelings or actions to others. ” 

I say nothing, my dear, except be careful of her. I 
never liked your intimacy in the old days, but she will have 
more power to hurt you now you are separated from your 
husband than she had before. Are you sure she has had 
nothing to do with this final rupture between you?’^ 

‘ Georgie opened her blue eyes incredulously. 

“ Louise I Oh! dear, no! How could she? She has not, 
set eyes on Gerard since our return; and if she had she 
would have refused to speak to him. She would never be 
so base as to keep friends with him and with me at the 
same moment. Besides, you should hear her speak of him, 
Mr. Chauncey; nothing is too bad for her to say; she 
thought me the weakest creature in the world to dream of 


MISS HAREINGTOK^S HUSBAND. 229 

making up our quarrel. Oh! no! I could believe anything 
of Louise but that’^ 

‘‘ I only want to warn you, Georgie; there is no harm in 
being careful. And now I will leave you, my dear, for I 
must catch the three o’clock train; and I will write to you 
concerning the Royal Consort engagement in a few days.” 

Sissy and Rachel arrived in due course, and Georgie be- 
gan to spend a healthful and quiet life with them by the 
sea-side, a life in which she had time to review her past and 
plan out her future. If, with her reminiscences, there 
. sometimes mingled a vague regret that she had so hastily 
cast aside Hiram Boch’s proposal, who shall blame her? 

She had thrown up all her prospects for the sake of a 
man who was utterly ungrateful, and did not value any sac- 
rifice she made for him. 

She had lost, as it were, all the headway she had made 
by going to America, and found herself, after fifteen months 
Qf^ schooling, at the same point where she started. And she 
might, had she listened to reason, have been freed by this 
time from the shackles that bound her, and at liberty to 
commence a new life; yet she never contemplated replac- 
ing herself in that position. 

A line from her pen would, as she well knew, have 
brought Mr. Boch home by the next mail to renew his argu- 
ments and his entreaties, but she did not wish it to be so. 
Her whole aim was not to purge the memory of Gerard 
Legh from her heart, but to imprint her own so indeli- 
bly on his that it should haunt him by night and day; 
and the first help toward that end came to her in a very 
unexpected manner. 

Each morning whilst she remained at Brighton she took 
her walk under the sea-wall with Sissy, and before long she 
had made the acquaintance of a lady who systematically 
brought her children to the same place. The lady was 
young and pleasant-looking, though not handsome; and the 
children, three little girls, varying from three to seven 
years old, took an immense fancy to Sissy, which first made 
their mother stop and speak to Miss Harrington. Perhaps, 
too, she had been attracted by Georgie’s uncommon beauty, 
for, contrary to the custom of English women, they became 
quite sociable and friendly without even knowing each 
other’s names. Neither of them was accompanied by a 
servant, for the strange lady appeared (like Miss Harring- 


230 . MISS HAKRIKGTOM^S HUSBAND. 

ton) to revel in the society of her children, and not unfre- 
quently the two women would join in a game of romps with 
the little girls, and laugh as loudly as any of them. 

One morning, when the fresh sea-breeze was rathei bois- 
terous, and the sun had become too furious for the elder 
ones, they sat down, panting, on a beTich together, their 
hair blown over their faces and their attire in general dis- 
order. 

“ Eeally,^^ said the stranger, “ these childreii are almost 
too rough sometimes. Alice has nearly pulled my hat off 
my head. I am afraid my little ones are very rude. I 
hope they have not torn your mantle 

“ Oh, no, indeed replied Georgie. I love children, 
as you may imagine, or I should not romp with them. My 
little sister is as bad as any of yours, and she is old enough 
to know better. 

“ I must say I like to bring my little girls out alone; 
they seem to enjoy themselves so much more without their 
nurses; they spend too much of their time in the nursery, 
poor wee mites 

‘‘ I suppose you find, like most people, that society 
makes too many demands ujion your time:'’'’ 

“It is not only that!^^ Then suddenly changing the 
subject, the stranger asked: “ Are you living in Brighton?'’^ 

“ Oh, no! I am only sta3dng here for a change with my 
little sister.'’^ 

“ So am I! I brought the children down here after the 
measles, and my husband is in Scotland. I aiji so lonely. 
I wish you would come and see me — that is, if it would be 
agreeable to you. There is my card!^'’ and the lady thrust 
it into her hand. 

Georgie read the inscription, and colored deeply. 

It was “ The, Viscountess Moberley,^^ 


CHAPTER XXXIY. 

LADY MOBEELEY. 

Geoegie did not know what to say. 

Lady Moberley perceived her confusion, and attributed it 
to reluctance to accepting so unorthodox an invitation. 

“I know it is not very regular, she added, smiling, 
“ to ask you to visit a person to whom you have never been 


MISS HAKRI1ICtT0K'’S husband. 231 

introduced, but I thought, as we are two ladies living alone, 
we might waive ceremony. We have met and conversed 
together now for more than a fortnight, and I feel as if 
you were quite an old friend. But if you have any objec- 
tion — ” she said, blushing, and stopping short. 

Indeed, Lady Moberley, you are quite mistaken. I 
feel Only too much honored by your desire to know more of 
me. Only it is impossible. If you knew who I am — 

“ I know you are a gentlewoman,^-’ said Lady Moberley. 

‘‘ Yes, I am that!’^ replied Georgie, proudly, ‘‘ and I am 
not aware of any other reason why you should not receive 
me at your house. But your family might object to it, 
because — I am the wife of Captain Gerard Legh!’ ^ 

‘‘ Of Oerardf Are you really Gerardo’s wife?’"’ exclaimed 
Lady Moberley, qagerly. “ Are you Miss Harrington, the 
actress 

Yes, I am Georgie Harrington; and now you see why 
I ^an not accept your invitation. My husband^ s family 
have elected not to recognize me, and Lord Moberley would 
probably be angry with you for infringing their decision. 
Therefore — with all due thanks to you — I must decline. 

“ But it is a shame — it is -a horrible injustice!’^ replied 
her companion. ‘‘ Only to think you should be my sister- 
in-law, and I can not befriend you as I should hke to do. 
For I suppose I must ask Moberley ’s leave first, at any 
rate.-’^ 

‘‘ I beg your ladyship will do no such tiling,^' rejoined 
Georgie, “ for Lord Moberley ^s consent would make no 
difference to me. I have done nothing that should prevent 
my husband^s parents from noticing me; but as long as 
they hold aloof the patronage of the other members of the 
family would be of little avail. 

But have you not left Captain Legh?^"* inquired Lady 
Moberley, curiously. 

“ Certainly not, in the sense you mean! I left him to 
fulfill a professional engagement in America, from which I 
have only just returned. Lord Kinlock knows the motives 
which took me there; I explained them to him myself. 

‘‘ Then Lord Kinlock is acquainted with you!'' 

‘‘ He visited me once, as a matter of policy, and I ex- 
plained to him fully my relations with my husband. Since 
my return to England Captain Legh has refused to see me. 


232 MISS HARRINGTOlf’s HUSBAND. 

I am quite ignorant of his motive in behaving so; but I 
shall wait patiently until he sees he is mistaken. ” 

Miss Harrington/^ exclaimed Lady Moberley, “ I think 
you are a dear good creature, and I like you awfully! I 
have never got on with my husband ^s family. I think they 
are a set of starched-up prigs; and if Moberley had been 
anything like them I never would have married him. I 
know several members of your profession, and I reckon 
them among my best friends. It seems hard I shouldn't 
include my own sister-in-law in the number. But you 
mustnH be too proud. Promise me that, if Moberley sees 
the matter in the same light I do, you will consent to come 
and visit me and he my sister. I feel we should get on so 
well together. I took a fancy to yon the very first day we 
met. 

“You are very, very kind!^^ replied Georgie, “and 
should Lord Moberley consent, of course I shall not be so 
silly as to refuse. But don^'t let us talk of it, for it will be 
all the hai’der if he sets his face against our acquaintance, 
as I can not but believe, in deference to his parents’ wishes, 
he will.” 

“ Oh, you don’t know Moberley!” cried her ladyship, 
laughing. “ He dislikes the family ways and rules as much 
as I do, and does not wish anything in our house to be con- 
ducted after the fashion of Summerhayes. Hot that they 
all are so strait-laced. Lord Kinlock is a dear old man, 
and Lady Alice is very nice; it is the mother and elder 
sister who hold out against you, and of course since you 
left Gerard you are a great deal worse in their eyes.” 

“ They should take the trouble to ask 'first how Gerard 
treated me,” said Georgie. 

“ Yes, dear, that’s just it,” replied Lady Moberley. 
“ He’s a horrid temper I know, and so was Moberley till I 
brought him to his senses. Well, I suppose I must be go- 
ing in; it’s past the children’s dinner hour. Come, Alice 
and Helen, go and fetch baby off the sand. Good-bye, 
Miss Harrington; give me a kiss; I will be your sister, 
dear, always, whatever the rest may say.” 

And with a parting salute the warm-hearted little lady 
hurried away with her children, leaving Georgie to specu- 
late on the upshot of the unexpected discovery she had 
made. 


MISS HARRIKGTON^S HUSBAND. 233 

Helen Moberley was very different, both in mind and dis- 
position, from the members of her husband^ s family. Per- 
haps that was the reason that Lord Moberley had chosen to 
marry her. She was an only child, and an heiress — spoiled,, 
as girls born under such circumstances are apt to be, and 
allowed to have her own way in everything. Her way was 
a very pleasant one, however; and her husband treated her 
much as her parents had done, so she ruled the house. 

It is needless to say that her conduct did not at all times 
command the approval of Summerhayes. Lady Kinlock 
hardly knew what to make of her. She clave herself to 
the old theory — descended to us from a barbarous age when 
women were treated no better than cattle — that wives 
should submit themselves to their husbands in all things, 
whether right or wrong, and he but a milk-and-water copy 
of the man. She was quite shocked, therefore, at the liber- 
ties Lady Moberley took with the' grave and sober viscount, 
atrd the open manner in which she expressed her opinion on 
all she saw and heard at Summerhayes. 

She was never awed at anything. She ridiculed Lady 
Hester^s frumpish way of dressing her hair, and beguiled 
Lady Alice into taking a walk on Sunday evening instead 
of going to church for the third time. She pulled her 
father-in-law’s hair, and sat on her husband’s knee before 
the servants. In fact, she was always doing something 
which, in their estimation, she ought not to have done, and 
yet they did not feel at liberty to reprimand her as they 
would have done, because she was Lord Moberley’s wife and 
the future Countess of Kinlock. And her crowning offense 
had been her openly attempted defense of her brother-in- 
law’s marriage. 

Lord and Lady Moberley were staying at Summerhayes 
when Gerard announced the awful fact that he had married 
an actress. The grief and shame at the news were uni- 
versal. Lady Kinlock retreated to her room and refused 
to appear in public at all, and the Ladies Legh went about 
with pursed-up mouths as if there had been a death in the 
house. Even Lord Moberley and his sister wore solemn 
faces whenever the subject was. raised. Only Helen was 
cheerful over it, and demanded if Captain Legh at six-and- 
twenty were not old enough to know his own mind on so 
important a matter as marriage, and if his own antecedents 


234 MISS harrimgtom's husbamd. 

had been so blameless that they need be ultra-particular 
about his wife. 

She even enlisted a theatrical friend of hers in the cause, 
and made him find out all about Miss Harrington; and 
when his letter arrived, bearing the most favorable reports 
of her character, talents, and; social position, she read it 
aloud in the face of the assembled family; but her kindly 
interference did no good. The Kinlocks could not over- 
look the awful disgrace which had fallen on their honored 
name. 

Gerardos previous peccadilloes — his gambling and extrava- 
gance at college — his disreputable behavior in the army — 
and many other scrapes in which he had been detected 
since, all fell into insignificance compared with his having 
married an honest woman who earned her own livelihood. 
And Lady Moberley did not find her husband much more 
tractable than her parents-in-law. He did not abuse his 
brother so vehemently perhaps, but he evidently thought 
he had ruined himself for life. He shrunk from the idea 
of the actress being introduced to his wife — in , fact, he ab- 
solutely forbade it. 

Miss Harrington might be all very well in herself, per- 
haps — indeed, he went to the Delphian ‘‘ on the sly,^^ and 
thought her the most beautiful woman he had ever seen; 
but there was no knowing what her connections might be, 
and he would not run the risk of his Helen becoming ac- 
quainted with people beneath her in station. So Lady 
Moberley, who was quite ready to rush up to London and 
offer her friendship to her new sister-in-law, was not al- 
lowed even to write a line of congratulation on the subject, 
and for the first time thought her husband unreasonable 
and unjust. 

From this preamble it may be imagined she would dis- 
play some nervousness in telling Lord Moberley of the un- 
expected discovery she had made in her acquaintance of the 
beach; but nerves were not in Lady Moberley^s line. The 
viscount came down to see her and his little girls on the 
Saturday following the interview described in the last 
chapter, and he had hardly been ten minutes in, the house 
before she attacked him straight from the shoulder. 

The day was frosty; Lord Moberley had had a cold jour- 
ney down, and seated himself close to the fire. In another 
minute her ladyship had perched herself upon his knee. 


MISS HARRINGTON^S HUSBAND. 235 

William Charles Godfrey Algernon St Clair/^ she 
commenced (it was a Joke of hers, when she wished to be 
playful, to address her husband by his long string of names), 
^ I have something very particular to tell you. You know 
that Fm always making mistakes. I made a mistake when 
- Alice was born, and another with Helen, and a third with 
baby; but you were obliged to forgive me all the same, be- 
cause there was nothing else to do. And now I’ve made a 
fourth mistake — at least you^U say so; and you’ll have to 
forgive me this one also, and for the same reason.” 

Where is it?” said Lord Moberley, pretending to look 
round the room for a baby. 

Don’t be silly, you old stupid, you know I don’t mean 
that! But during the last fortnight I have made the ac- 
quaintance of a most charming lady on the beach. I have 
been out alone in the mornings with my chicks, and she 
was always there with a little girl, and we used to talk to- 
gether while the children were playing. ” 

“ That was very imprudent of you, Helen. In your 
position you should be more careful. How can you tell 
lolio you may meet in a place like Brighton? Really, you. 
are a perfect child!” 

‘‘ How, don’t scold till it’s over. There’s heaps more to 
come. I haven’t even begun the bad part of it. Where 
had I got to? I wish you wouldn’t put me out so. Well, 
I made great friends with this lady — in fact, she’s the very 
nicest person I’ve ever known — so charmingly pretty.” 

None the better for that. I’ll bet,” grumbled the vis- 
count. 

“ Yes, sir, she is all the better for that! Just you keep 
your opinion to yourself till you’re asked for it. She’s 
charmingly pretty, and clever, and sweet, and I like her 
down to the ground; so I asked her to come and see me 
here; ” 

‘‘ Worse and worse!” muttered Lord Moberley. When 
will you learn prudence?” 

‘‘When you learn not to interrupt me; so I shall have 
plenty of time in which to get it up. Really, William 
Charles Godfrey Algernon Sfc. Clair, your manners are be- 
coming quite unbearable! I wish you’d copy me instead 
of your mamma. I asked this lady to come and visit me, 
and gave her my card; and who do you think she turned 
out to be.^” 


236 MISS HAEEIMGTOK^S HUSBAMD. 

‘‘ How slicEild I know? The Countess of Cranbourne 
Alley, I suppose; or the Duchess of Seven Dials. 

“ Oh, dear, no, nothing half so aristocratic, but some- 
thing a thousand times nicer than all your horrid old duch- 
esses and countesses put together! Miss Harrington 

Lord Moberley stared at his wife as if he didnT believe 
her. 

Miss— T oo. 

“ Miss Harrington — the actress. Gerard^ S’ wife! DonT 
pretend not to understand. You look just like an old 
owl biinking at me out of your carroty eyelashes. 

The next moment Lady Moberley was put off her hus- 
band^’s knee on to the hearth-rug. 

“ \\^hat did you do that for, you horrid old man: I 
shall sit on your knee if I feel inclined!'’-’ 

Helen, I am seriously displeased with you!^^ 

“ What for? What have I done?^^ 

‘‘You know perfectly well that to make the acquaint- 
ance of Mrs. Gerard Legh is the last thing in the world I 
wished you to do. For four ^'^ears my family have stead- 
fastly refused to receive her. 

“ More shame for your family, then! I think Alice and 
Hester ought to be whipped for it, and Lord and Lady 
Kinlock, too! In fact, J-’d like to whip them all round 
myself !^^ 

“ Helen! will you be good enough to remember you are 
speaking of my father and mother?^ ^ 

“ Of course I remember it! That^s why I want to whip 
them! AVhy have they refused to receive her? She^s a 
great deal better than they are!^^ 

“ You are no judge of that, Helen, nor of their reasons 
for acting as they have done. You were quite aware, how- 
ever, of my wishes, and you have disobeyed them. 

“ No, I havenT, William Charles Godfrey Algernon St. 
Clair!’’ 

“Oh, do stop that nonsense! It is beneath you!” said 
Lord Moberley, in a tone of vexation. 

“ AVell, then, take me on your knee again, or I sha’n’t 
tell you another word.-” 

You are a spoiled girl!” exclaimed his lordship, as she 
scrambled up and covered his face with kisses; “ but I 
know you are true. Tell me everything, my dear, and let 
me advise you for the best.” 


MISS haeriiigton's husbakd. 287 

There is not much more to tell, Will. We did not 
find out each other^s names until we had. made friends, and 
I had seen for myself how sweet and good she is. Oh, I 
perfectly adore her! She is the most charming creature I 
have ever met. I am not in the least surprivsed at Gerai’d 
marrying her; my only wonder is that she ever took him V’ 
“ But you must have heard that they are not even lidng 
together. That is not very respectable, Helen. 

‘‘ Has any one ever told you the reason, Will?^^ 

My father mentioned something about it to me, but I 
confess my interest did not extend to curiosity upon the 
subject. It was only what I expected when I heard of the 
marriage. An ill-assorted union never turns out well.’’' 
Lady Moberley stamped her foot. 

You are just like all men. Will, pig-headed and un- 
reasonable! You know what your brother is. You warned 
me against being too intimate with him when we were first 
married. You have always called him a scamp and a 
vanrien 

And so he is,^^ interposed Lord Moberley. “ Gerard 
has been in a scrape ever since he left Eton. Always in 
debt, or a fix of some sort; and such a violent temper, too, 
that no one could attempt to reason with him without get- 
ting insulted 

‘‘ And yet because a sweet, dear woman like Georgie 
Harrington finds it impossible to live with him, you lay the 
blame on her head. Why, Will, she is a thousand times 
too good for Gerard, and his parents ought to go down on 
their bended knees and thank her for having burdened her- 
self with such a ‘ ne’er-do-well.'* ” 

‘‘lam afraid it would be a long time before you got my 
father and mother to see it in that light,” replied Lord 
Moberley, laughing. 

“ I dare say it would, because they are so stuck-up in 
their own conceit; they think no one is good enough for 
them. But if they once saw Georgie Harrington, without 
knowing who she was, they would soon change their opin- 
ion.” 

“ Is she really so delightful? I know she’s a beautiful 
woman, because I’ve seen her. ” 

“ Where have you seen her?” asked Helen, quickly. 

Lord Moberley looked sheepish. 


238 * MISS hakrikgton's husband. 

‘‘ Well, I happened to look in at the Delphian one night 
when she was on the stage, and — 

“ Oh, you sneak!'’^ cried his wife, ‘‘ never to take me! 
And so you have really seen her? And isn^t she lovely 
Very lovely 

“ Oh, it is a sweet face, and her manners are just as 
sweet. And she is a true lady. Will, in every particular. 
I flatter myself it would take less than a fortnight to show 
me that.^^ 

‘‘You are a stanch advocate, Nell. Has she told you 
anything of her relations with Gerard?” 

“ Nothing; that is what I admire her so for. I know 
he has treated her badly; but she has not uttered a syllable 
against him. All she said was, when I remarked that she 
was all the worse in the Kinlocks^ eyes for having left 
Gerard, that they should inquire first how Gerard had 
treated her. She tells me that she went out to America 
to fulfill a professional engagement, and that she is quite 
ignorant of any reason why Captain Legh should have re- 
fused to receive her on her return. But she will wait pa- 
tiently until he sees his error. ” 

I am greatly afraid the blame in that instance must lie 
at Gerard’s door. I confess that I have never heard any- 
thing against her character, Helen; and I have heard a 
great deal against his. The men at the clubs are talking 
very freely about him and certain other people just now. 
It is very disgraceful!” 

“ While his poor darling wife is down here all by herself, 
wdth her little sister. Will, did you know that she is a 
daughter of Captain Frederick Harrington, of the artillery? 
Didn’t we have a Captain Harrington once down for the 
shooting at Pittswood?” 

“ Of course we did. George Harrington of the Tenth. 
He’s a cousin of the artilleryman. Do you mean to tell 
me that Gerard’s wife’s father was poor old Fred? He fell 
in the Ashantee war. Is it possible? Are you sure you are 
not mistaken?” 

‘‘lam quite sure. We talked over all these matters be- 
fore I knew she was Gerard’s wife. Harrington is a com- 
mon name you know; and I could tell from the way in 
which she mentioned certain people’s names that she was 
as familiar with them as we are. Oh, she is such a dear! 
She refused to come and see me when she heard who I was 


MISS HAKRIHGTON^S 'HUSBAND. 


239 


(and indeed I wouldn^t have urged her. Will, without your 
consent); but I kissed her when we parted, and told her I 
should always feel like her sister. And so I shall, what- 
ever happens. 

Helen,^’ said Lord Moberley, thoughtfully, ‘‘ what do 
you want me to do in the matter?^^ 

‘‘ Oh, you darling, I knew it would come to that! Well, 

’ I want you to go with me and call upon her, and tell her 
how sorry we are for this long estrangement, and ask her 
to our house, and try and mak^e up to her for the way that 
wretch Gerard has behaved to her. You know what your 
father told you last year before she went to America.'’^ 

I am perfectly aware that Gerard has disgraced him- 
self as a husband as well as in every other condition of life. 
But granted that this Miss Harrington is all you think her, 
Helen — good, pure, and lady-like — there still remains that 
insuperable objection to your being on terms of intimacy 
with her — the fact of her profession. I can not get over 
it. 


‘‘ Then why do you let me receive Mrs. Garnett, and 
Miss Fitzroy, and Mr. Coverston? They are all artists. 
And you asked Signor Carnelli down for the shooting season 
once at Pittswood."’"’ 

“ That was to amuse our guests, darling. They are not 
our relations, thank goodness! Everybody knew the foot- 
ing on which we received them.^^ 

And could you be 'Such a cad. Will — 

“ My dear Helen, I wish you would pick your words !’^ 

“ I am picking them, and using the most suitable I can 
find. Would you be such a cad as to ask people as guests 
to your house whom you do not consider worthy to be 
friends of your wife, j ust to get out of paying them for 
their services? And when we have such a lot of money, 
too.^^ 


My dear child, you have such a strange way^ of putting 
things. 

“ I have ayV5^ way of putting them; and I never thought 
I should feel so ashamed of my husband,^ ^ said Lady Mo- 
berley, half in tears. 

‘‘ But, my darling, I did not mean that!^^ 

What did you mean, then? Miss Harrington is a dear 
good girl, much better than you or I, or any of your stuck- 
up people at Summerhayes— and she is a gentlemaiPs 


240 


MISS HAltKINGTON^S HUSBAND. 


daughter, and your brother's wife. But because she is an 
actress she is not fit to be received here as our sister. 
Will, I positively hate you for being so mean!" 

‘‘ No, don't say that, Helen; it hurts me." 

‘‘ And besides, the action we maintain against her is so 
impolitic. She might be Countess of Kinlock any day; 
and then how would you all look?" 

“ How do you make that out?" 

“ I have no son, and she may have one; and then if you 
die, and your father, of course Captain Legh will succeed 
to the title. " 

Lord Moberley laughed till the tears came into his eyes. 

You have killed us all off very quickly, Nell. How- 
ever, I think you are so far right that we may have stood 
off a little too much in this matter. But if I let you call 
on Mrs. Gerard Legh, what will the mater say?" 

“ What does it signify what she says?" replied Lady 
Moberley, pouting. “I'm sure she needn't talk; £.he calls 
upon poachers and all sorts of disreputable characters. 
One day she wanted me to go and hear a dying thief relate 
his experiences; but I wouldn't. Georgie Harrington can't 
be worse than a dying thief any way!" 

“ You silly child, can't you see that the charm of the 
thief lay in the fact of his dying? But since you have* been 
thrown into personal contact with my brother's wife, I ac- 
knowledge that it would be a double slight to ignore her 
now. Ho you know where she is staying?" 

“ At Morrison's Hotel." 

“ If I let you call on her will you promise me not to be- 
come too intimate?" 

“ No, I won't promise anything at all. I am intimate 
with her already. I tell you I love her, and I want Her for 
my sister! Oh, Will, don't refuse me!" exclaimed Lady 
Moberley, twining her arms round his neck. “ I have 
never had*a sister, you know. Those two prigs at Summer- 
hayes are not worthy of the name. And I do love Georgie 
so! Say I may do just as I like about her!" 

Lord Moberley might have stood out against sulks and 
pouts; but he could not resist those arms, and the feel of 
his wife's soft lips against his own. Women are unwise 
who try to get their own way through any art but that of 
wheedling. It is a little science in itself; but, unlike other 


HISS HAKRINGTON^S HUSBAND. 


241 


sciences, you can not go too far with it, and it is very sel- 
dom known to fail. 

I give in,^^ said Lord Moberley, as she released him. 
‘‘ I feel it is weak-minded and ignominious, but I give in. 
We will call on Mrs. Gerard Legh together, Helen, and ask 
her to come and dine with us. I think I can trust your 
judgment; but should it be at fault in this instance, I flat- 
ter myself we stand too high not to be credited with having 
stooped to be gracious to a person who has been thrown 
directly in our way by marriage. 

‘‘ There can be no stooping with regard to Georgie,'’^ said 
Lady Moberley. “ She is inflnitely better in every respect 
than half the people we know!^^ 

‘‘ She has a faithful ally at all events in you,-’^ said the 
viscount, kissing her cheek; “ and you have won her 
cause. 


CHAPTER XXXV. 

THE EAMILY CONCLAVE. 

Georgie Harrington had not seen Lady Moberley since 
the day they recognized each other on the beach. She did 
not wish to see her. She fully believed that her husband 
would refuse his consent to an intimacy between them, and 
she was too proud to court it. 

So she and Sissy walked no longer under the sea-wall; 
and to all the child ^s inquiries why she might not go to 
meet her little companions as before, Georgie returned eva- 
sive answers. 

But she felt anxious, nevertheless. She could not help 
seeing the advantages that an acquaintance with some of 
the principal members of Gerardos family would be to her, 
and especially at this moment, when she needed the protec- 
tion of her friends. And she liked what she knew of Helen 
Moberley, and believed that they would understand each 
other. 

She was therefore delighted, and somewhat fluttered, 
when a few days afterward the cards of Lord and Lady 
Moberley were put into her hand. 

She rose to receive them with a grace that was peculiarly 
her own, and the viscount was ready at the first glance to 
second his wife^s opinion of her. 


242 MISS HAEEINGTON^S HUSBAND. 

“ Now, Georgie,^^ exclaimed her ladyship, as familiarly 
as if she had known her all her life, I have brought your 
brother-in-law to make your acquaintance, and to tell you 
in person' how sorry he is it should have been so long de- 
layed.'’^ 

“Indeed, Mrs. Legh,^^ said Lord Moberley, “my wife 
only speaks the truth. These family dissensions have been 
most painful to me; but when the elders lead the way it is 
difficult for the younger members not to follow. And 
Gerard has such a peculiar disposition; he aggravates mat- 
ters by his obstinacy and perverseness, instep of trying to 
smooth them over.^"* 

“You owe me no apology. Lord Moberley, replied 
Georgie, with her sweetest smile. “ It was not to be ex- 
pected you should fly in the face of your father and mother 
for a person you had never seen. And, as you say, my 
poor husband is not disposed to be conciliatory under oppo- 
sition. 

' “ When did you last hear from him, Mrs. Legh?’"’ 

“ Just after I had come down here. I fully expected he 
would pass my holidays with me; but he changed, his mind. 
He is living in chambers in London, as doubtless you 
know, and seems to prefer that life to any other. 

“We have seen very little of Gerard since you left Eng- 
land, Mrs. Legh, and that little I have not liked I am 
'afraid he has got into a bad set. It is a pity you should 
not be living together. 

“No one thinks so more than I do. Lord Moberley. I 
threw up my engagement in America when I heard of his 
late illness, and returned home for the sole j^urpose of 
condoning the past, and beginning life anew with him. 
But Captain Legh refuses to be friends. He professes to 
have some trumpery and unjustifiable charge against me, 
which prevents our living together again. Therefore, I 
have prayed my last prayer to him. If ever we are recon- 
ciled the request must come from /ns side. I am too 
proud,^^ said Georgie, drawing herself up, and blushing 
like a rose, “and too conscious of my own innocence, to 
ask twice where I have been refused. I would die first 

“ I admire your spirit cried Lady Moberley. 

“ At the same time,^^ continued Georgie, still addressing 
the viscount, “ I am aware that the position lays my con- 
duct open to suspicion, and,, for that reason, I must decline 


MISS haerington's husbakd. 


243 


all friendship that is not offered to me for my own sake. 
I should be so deeply grieved to bring anything like censure 
on those who have wished to show me kindness/^ 

“ You must not imagine that loe have any doubt on the 
matter, Mrs. Legh. If it were so, Helen and I would not 
be here to-day. But, to tell you the truth, I consider my 
brother is behaving very badly to you. I know what you 
have done for him in the past, and I do not believe you 
would have left him at all unless it had been absolutely 
necessary. ^ ' 

“ Indeed — indeed I would not!^^ said Georgie, in tears. 
“ I have loved him dearly — I love him still — ^but he seems* 
to be possessed with an evil spirit, that makes him reject 
all my overtures of peace.'’’ 

‘‘ Never mind,” said Loiff Moberley, kindly. “ Depend 
upon it, Gerard is under some bad influence, which will 
pass away in time. He can surely never hold out against 
you for long, and I would bet anything that he is far more 
miserable than yourself. Meanwhile, my wife and I will 
do what lies in our power to lighten the burden to you. 

‘‘Yes, that’s right. Will!” exclaimed Helen. “And 
first of all, Georgie, we will taboo such an unpleasant sub- 
ject. If we are to talk about Gerard every time we meet 
we may as well put on black at once. What are you going 
to do this evening?” 

“ Nothing in particular. Lady Moberley.” 

“ No! You must call me ‘ Helen,’ or I shall call you 
‘ Mrs. Legh. ’ Well, then, you must come for a drive with 
us as far as Shoreham, and dine with us afterward, will 
you? And send Sissy and the maid over to our place at 
once to spend the afternoon with my three girls; they’ve 
been asking for her every day.” 

“ I will do so with pleasure,” replied Georgie, her heart 
warming with the cordiality of her new friends. 

The rest of the day was spent in close intercourse, during 
which Lord Moberley drew from her a detailed account of 
her dealings with her husband, and read plainly how much 
her heart was with him through it all. 

Her beauty, and talent, and general demeanor made a 
deep impression on him, until he was almost as captivated 
with her as his wife had been, and quite as ready to do bat- 
tle in her cause. 

Indeed, when he had ascertained from her own lips the 


244 MISS haerimgton's husband. 

truth of her birth and connections, and the motives which 
led to her adoption of the stage, he thought how wrong 
they had all been not to make such inquiries before. 

But it was chiefly Gerardos fault. He had been so 
offended hy the way in which the first announcement of his 
marriage had been received, that he had obstinately shut 
liis mouth on the subject since, and really led people to be- 
lieve there was some cause for their animadversions. 

But though Lord Moberley acknowledged he had been 
mistaken he did not know how he should make the truth 
knowm at Summerhayes; and when he had seen Georgie 
into the carriage which was to take her home at night, and 
returned to the presence of his wife, his expression of dis- 
may was comical. 

She is a lovely creature,^’ he said; “ there is no doubt 
of that, and charming in conversation. I think Gerard is 
a perfect idiot to leave her down here by herself. But I 
don^t know how on earth I shall tell the old people she has 
been to visit us, I^ell! Theyfll bring the house down about 
our ears!^^ 

Oh! nonsense, Will!’^ returned her ladyship; ‘‘ Vm 
not afraid of them if you are! Do you' suppose I^’m going 
to have my acquaintances chosen for me? Your mother 
knows better by this time. Don^t you remember her com- 
ing to town to lecture me about keeping Eoccani^’s little 
girl while she went to Italy? Bringing an actresses child 
into my nursery with her son^s daughters! I thought the 
old lady would have had a fit. However, I let her talk, 
and Ida Eoccani remained with us for a month. That^s 
liow I settle matters 

‘‘But this is much worse than the Eoccani business, 
Yell. I shouldn’t wonder if my mother and sisters refuse 
to enter the house for fear of meeting Mrs. Legh.” 

“Oh! let them stay away then; it will be no loss!” ex- 
claimed Lady Moberley, impatiently. “ I’m sick of your 
mother, and her affectation of religion. Will. It is no re- 
ligion that teaches her to be so uncharitable toward her 
fellow-creatures. Let me settle this matter with them, 
will you?” 

“ I shall only be too glad, my darling, if you can; and 
keep me out of it,” said Lord Moberley. 

‘^Oh! yes! I’ll keep you out of it, you old coward! I’ll 


MISS HARRIKGTOIl'S HUSBAND. 245 

just mention the circumstance naturally in my next letter 
to Summerhayes, and see what they say. 

What Lady Moberley called “ mentioning the circum- 
stance naturally "" was, that she added a postscript to this 
effect: 

‘‘By the way, Mrs. Gei’ard Legh is staying down here 
former health. I saw her on the Parade the other day; 
she is such a pretty wnman, and so elegantly dressed ; every- 
one was looking at her.'’ 

“ That doesnH say anything,^ ^ she thought, as she fold- 
ed her letter, “ but it gives scope for plenty of remarks.'’^ 

If she had heard the remarks it gave scope for she would 
have thought she might as well have thrown a thunder-bolt 
into Summerhayes. 

Lady Kinlock sent for her husband and her two daugh- 
ters, and having read the postscript in solemn conclave, 
asked their opinion as to what ought to be done. 

“ What can you doP^ replied the earl, rather testily, for 
he retained a vivid remembrance of liis beautiful daughter- 
in-law. “ I suppose Brighton is as open to Mrs. Gerard 
Legh as to any one else. L)o you wish to deprive the poor 
girl of recuperating her health, just because you have taken 
a dislike to her?’^ 

“ Kinlock, I am surprised at you,^^ said the countess. 
“ You must know, I was thinking only of Helen. She 
must leave Brighton; she* can not remain in a place where 
she may be brought in daily contact with that woman. 
Why, Mrs. Legh might go the length of addressing her. I 
have heard that actresses will do aiiy thing 

“You have heard a great deal of rubbish,^ ^ grumbled 
her husband. 

“ Kinlock, you are not looking at this matter in a i^roper 
light. What is Moberley about to allow Helen to remain 
there? You must write and tell him to remove his family 
at once. I am sure he is the last person to wish to see 
them tainted by such contact. 

“ I shall do no such thing, my dear. You may do your 
dirty work yourself. Moberley would probably tell me to 
mind my own business. Don’t you think he’S' old enough 
at thirty-five to mind his? And as for her little ladyship, 
she has given you a taste of her quality more than once be- 
fore, and I wouldn’t meddle with her affairs if I were you. ” 

“ That is just what I am afraid of,"’ replied Lady Kin- 


246 MISS HAKRIMGTON^S HUSBAOT. 

lock, with an uneasy toss of the head. ‘‘ Lady Moberley 
has been allowed to have so much of her own way that I 
should never he surprised at anything she might do. She 
would disgrace our family if it suited her convenience.. You 
know that I have never approved of Helen, Kinlock. And 
that is why this postscript frightens me. If this unfort- 
unate connection of ours is really so handsome and striking- 
in appearance — ^ ^ 

“ She is all that, my dear. You may take my word for 
it,^^ said the earl. But I didn’t know the pretty creature 
was home again. AYhere is that idiot Gerard? Helen 
doesn’t mention him. If he had been in Brighton, though, 
he would have been sure to call on Moberley. ” 

‘‘ Oh, she’s alone doubtless. Those sort of people will 
do anything to make themselves peculiar. But it is most 
improper that it should be so. As for Gerard, you know 
he has not been near us for the last five or six months.” 

“ I suppose after late events that he concludes we don’t 
want to see him, ” said the earl. ‘‘ One of you girls might 
have gone to him when he was ill. It was most unsister ly 
to refuse.” 

‘‘We didn’t like to, papa,” replied Lady Hester, prim- 
ly, “ without your sanction or mamma’s. We did not 
know but what she might have been at his bedside.” 

“And if she had she wouldn’t have poisoned you!” 
roared the earl. “ You talk ofi this lady as if she was 
something too vile to mention. I won’t have it. This 
sort of thing has gone on too long. It’s a disgrace to a 
Christian household, and so I tell you once for all. I can’t 
stop your mother’s tongue, but I can yours; and if either 
of you speak of your sister-in-law before me in that way 
again I’ll make you rue it! So now you understand me, 
and all you have to do is to obey. ” 

So saying Lord Kinlock walked out of the room and 
banged the door behind him. 

The women looked at one another in dismay. 

“ I never saw papa so angry before,” said Lady Alice. 

“ He’ll be ordering us to go and see her next I suppose,” 
said Lady Hester. 

“ No, my dears — no! that you shall never do!” rejoined 
Lady Kinlock. “ If your poor papa can be deluded (like 
most of his sex) by a pretty face, never mind to ivhom it 
may belong, your mother is here to guard and protect you. 


MISS hakrimgtok's husbakd. 247 

Against poor Gerard of course I say nothing. He is your 
brother, and you must be kind to him when you can, for 
he needs it sorely. But you know how I have always set 
my face against the stage and all those who uphold its in- 
iquity. Ho you imagine, then, that under an^ circum- 
stances I would receive an actress as my daughter-in-law? 

^ AV'liy, I blush even when I think of her^ I am afraid to 
look at a newspaper for fear of reading her name!'’'’ 

“ They are full of her just now, mamma!’^ exclaimed 
Lady Alice. “ She is to appear at the Royal Consort 
Theater in March, in a new drama called ‘ Haunted,'’ and 
there were two columns in the ‘ Court Journal ^ to-day 
about her doings in America. 

“ I wonder you can read such things, Alice,^^ said Lady 
Hester, reprovingly. 

“I wonder at it, too,^^ chimed in their mother. “I 
should have thought the subject would have made you turn 
away at once to another part of the paper. Wheri will you 
learn, Alice, to look on this unfortunate business in its 
proper light ?^^ 

Well, I don't know that I particularly want to read 
about her, mamma; but I must say I begin to feel a little 
tired of always hearing her abused. It really seems as if 
Gerard were no longer our brother since he married her."’' 

‘‘ In a great measure he is not,'’^ replied Lady Kinlock, 
coldly. “ He has at least forfeited all claim to our respect 
and esteem. But we will not discuss this unfortunate busi- 
ness any further. Hester, my dear, I should like to speak 
to you in my own room. 

Lady Hester followed her mother dutifully to receive a 
confidence of which Lady Alice was evidently not con- 
sidered worthy. 

‘‘ I have been thinking,^' said the countess, how we 
can best preserve Helen from the danger of becoming ac- . 
quainted with this unhappy young woman, and I have de- 
cided to speak with her in person. You know how little 
effect my letters have had upon her hitherto; besides, one 
can not say all one would wish in writing; therefore I shall 
go down to Brighton myself and take you with me. 

Me, mamma!'' exclaimed Lady Hester, not relishing 
the task of opposing Lady Moberley in anything she might 
have set her heart upon. 

Yes, my dear; but don't say a word to your papa or ' 


248 


MISS HARKINGTON^S HUSBAND. 


your sister about it. Kinlock would possibly oppose my 
going at all, and Alice would chatter the news all over the 
house. We must set about it very prudently.^'’ 

“ But can we leave Summerhayes without papa^s knowl- 
edge?^^ 

“ You silly girl! — of course not! We will go and stay a 
week in town with your aunt Bainbridge, and we can easily 
run down to Brighton for a day from her house. But we 
will start to-morrow; there is no time to be lost. 

The countess, who had quite as much finesse as women 
of the world when it suited her purpose to exert it, made 
all her arrangements so quietly that the earl had no idea of 
the ulterior motive that influenced her visit to London. 

She had scarcely been a day at. Mrs. Bainbridge^s, how- 
ever, before she told her she must go down to Brighton. 
She was so anxious to see her dear little grandchildren after 
the measles; for Lady Moberley^s accounts of the baby, who 
was rather delicate, made her feel uneasy. She could not 
think that Brighton was quite the place for them at that 
time of the year; she wanted to judge for herself, and hear 
what her dear daughter-in-law had to say on the subject. 

So she took Lady Hester and went down without any 
pomp or retinue, putting up at the Bedford Hotel on 
arriving. 

It was a fine day in January, although the wind was 
cold. Lady Kinlock and her daughter shivered as they 
walked along the Kiog^s Road on their way to the tem- 
porary residence of the Moberleys. But when they .arrived 
there they found her ladyship was not at home. The serv- 
ant did not think she would be long, and invited the visitors 
to walk into the drawing-room and wait for her. 

The countess, who was chilled through, said she would 
decidedly like to go to the fire, and they followed the man 
upstairs. 

The room was not empty, as they expected. A lady sat 
in a very home-like attitude in one of the lounging-chairs. 
She rose as the strangers entered, and they found them- 
selves face to face with Georgie Harrington! 


MISS HAREIN-GTON^S HUSBA^-D. 


249 


CHAPTER XXXYL 

AN ACCIDENT. 

Of course Lady Kinlock and her daughter did not know 
Georgie Harrington; they had never even seen the pictured 
presentment of her face. Lady Alice, during her infre- 
quent visits to London, may have gazed furtively at the 
photographs of the popular artist in the shop windows; but 
Lady Kinlock and her elder daughter would have hurried 
by with averted eyes, had they imagined that such an in- 
dignity would meet their gaze. Besides, they had not the 
slightest idea that Lady Moberley was already acquainted 
with the black sheep of the family. It was the calaniity 
they had hastened down to avert. 

All they saw was a slight, graceful, high-bred-looking 
woman, with an uncommonly lovely face, and dressed in 
the latest Paris style, who rose from her seat and bowed as 
they entered the room. They were taken, like everybody 
else, by her appearance at first sight, and supposed she 
must be one of Lady Moberley^ s aristocratic friends whom 
she had invited to stay with her at Brighton. Neither had 
Georgie any suspicion of their identity. The servant knew 
their titles, but it was not his business to introduce them to 
a stranger. He merely ushered them into the room, set 
chairs for them, stirred the fire into a blaze, and took his 
leave, saying that his mistress would not be long. 

Georgie glanced at the new-comers, and seeing an elderly- 
woman dressed in black, with a very frumpish-looking 
younger one by her side— both very plain in feature and 
common in appearance — concluded them to be some of 
Helenas Brighton acquaintances, and prepared to do the 
honors of the house till her return. She was justified in 
taking this responsibility upon herself. Her friendship 
with Lady Moberley had made rapid strides in the last few 
days. Helen was not the woman to do things by halves. 
She could not have patronized a relation. She must either 
cut her altogether or admit her freely to the advantages 
which were her right. So she and Georgie had become very 
intimate and spent all their days together, and behaving in 
every respect like sisters. 


250 MISS HAREINGTOK^S HUSBAND. 

On the present occasion Miss Harrington had come as 
usual to pass the afternoon at Helenas house, and finding 
she had gone out for an hour, removed her walking-cos- 
tume and prepared to wait for her return; but she was too 
un-English to permit strangers to occupy the same robm 
with her without addressing them. She had not the capa- 
bility of staring people out of countenance for half an hour 
in silence, until some accident should make them speak. 
So she advanced a little to meet Lady Kinlock and her 
daughter, and said, in her sweet, grave voice: 

“ Lady Moberley went out about half an hour ago; but 
I don^t think she will be long, as she never stays out late in 
the afternoon. Will you not draw nearer the fire.^ It is 
very cold to-day, is it not?-’^ 

Bitterly cold,^^ replied the countess, taking another 
chair. “ I don^t think I ever felt a sharper wind. It 
seems to cut one in half. 

“ Brighton is rather celebrated for that sort of thing at 
this time of the year,^^ replied Georgie, smiling. I want 
to persuade Lady Moberley to leave it; it is getting too 
cold for any one but the aborigines. 

This sentiment corresponded so well with Lady Kin- 
lock^'s views that she fell in with it readily. 

‘‘ I think the same as you do, madame; it is muoh too 
cold a place for little children. By the way, can you tell 
me how the children are?'’^ 

‘‘ Oh! they he very well and strong. Brighton has done 
them nothing but good till now. But Lady Moberley has 
a cough. 

. “ Ah!’^ said her ladyship, as if that were not of so much 
consequence; “ she can look after herself. I suppose you 
are staying here:^^ 

‘‘ Yes,-’^ replied Georgie, thinking she meant staying in 
Brighton, ‘‘ I am staying here.^^ 

Then her hospitable thoughts on behalf of her sister-in- 
law went out to tea, and §he rang the bell. 

“ John, put on more coals, and bring tea for these 
ladies. Is Lady Moberley not home yetr^'’ 

“ No, madame, said the man, as he withdrew to exe- 
cute her orders. 

Whereupon the countess felt certain that Georgie was 
some distinguished guest of the house, and engaged in con- 
versation with her freely. 


MISS HAKEIMGTOM^S HUSBAND. 


251 


They spoke of the weather, and the inconvenience of the 
current fashions. They discussed the relative merits of 
town and country. They even compared the advantages of 
England with those of other lands, and yet not a sin^e 
word passed between them to betray the identity of either. 

The tea was served, and Georgie poured it- out and 
handed it to the two strange ladies, who, supposing her to 
be at the very least a relation of the duchess of this, or the 
countess of that, were quite ca2)tivated by her grace and 
courtesy, and ready to pronounce her one of the most 
charming creatures they had ever seen. 

But Lady Einlock returned more than once to the ques- 
tion of Brighton being too cold for the children, and 
Georgie felt just a slight curiosity to know why these ap- 
parent strangers should be so interested in the welfare of 
Helen’s little flock. 

“ If you are a friend of Lady Moberley’s, as I am sure 
you are,” observed the countess, ‘‘ you really should per- 
suade her to take her little ones back to town. These cold 
winds are so very dangerous after the measles. 

‘‘ I don’t think her ladyship has any fear on the subject,” 
rejoined Georgie, blithely, ‘‘ but I suppose she will abide 
by the advice of her doctor. I believe he is quite satisfied 
with the .children’s condition. ” 

“ But this is not a nice place out of the season,” persist- 
ed Lady Kinlock; “ so many queer characters about.” 

“ It is nearly emp)ty now,” said Georgie, quietly. 

Well, I don’t know,” rejoined her ladyship, “ I’ve 
heard that there 'are a great many objectionable peojole 
here; and a woman in Lady Moberley’s position can not be 
too careful with whom she associates.” 

“ I quite agree with you; but I believe she knows no one 
here, nor is she likely to do so. She only came for the 
benefit of her children.” 

That is all right then,” said Lady Kinlock, more gra- 
ciously; ‘‘and since Lady Moberley has her own friends 
round her, she can not need the society of strangers. ” 

No, we keep pretty much to one another,” replied 
Georgie, with one of her fascinating smiles. 

At that moment Lady Moberley’s thundering knock was 
heard upon the door. The footman gave her the informa- 
tion that the Countess of Kinlock and Lady Hester Legh 
were in the drawing-room with Mrs. Gerard Legh, and she 


253 MISS HARRINGTOIn'^S husband. 

flew upstairs white with terror. What had happened in 
her absence? Should she And them all stretched upon the 
floor, weltering in their gore? Bufc Georgie met her upon 
the threshold, calm and smiling, and she perceived at once 
that they were all equally ignorant who they had been 
speaking to. 

“ Helen, dear, here are some ladies waiting to see you. 

I have been doing the honors in your absence. What a 
time you have been!^^ 

She kissed her sister-in-law as she spoke, and then re- 
tired to the back drawing-room, which was divided from 
the front by a velvet poHiere, Since the mistress of the 
house had arrived she considered it more becoming in her 
to retreat to the background and leave Lady Moberley at 
liberty to converse with her guests. 

But her little ladyship seemed strangely fluttered and ill 
at ease. Her mother-in-law^ s sudden appearance had 
thrown her off her balance. She had not expected her in- 
nocent postscript to have produced such immediate results, 
and she did not know exactly what to say. Since Lady 
Kinlock was evidently ignorant who Georgie was, she de- 
termined to keep her in ignorance as long as she could. 
But it was impossible to prevent Gerardos wife guessing the 
names of the angels whom she had entertained unawares. 
They cropped out at every other word of the conversation, 
which could be distinctly heard from behind the velvet 
portih'e. 

l^ear me! who would have thought of seeing you 
here?^^ cried Lady Moberley, as she hurried to greet her 
mother and sister-in-law. ‘‘ When did you come to 
Brighton? Is Alice with you?^^ 

“ No, my dear Helen, Hester and I are alone; and we 
came down from London (where we are staying with Aunt 
Bainb ridge) this morning. I could not rest until I had 
seen and spoken with you. Your last letter disturbed us 
terribly 

‘'And what was there so dreadful in my last letter?^’ 
demanded Helen, braving it out, for she knew well enough 
to what Lady Kinlock alluded. 

“ The postscript, my dear,^^ rephed the countess, with a 
significant glance toward the back drawing-room. “ The 
person you alluded to in it. Her proximity has filled us 
with alarm. No one can tell what might come of it. And 


MISS HAKRINGTON^S HUSBAND. 253 

I want you to leave Brighton in consequence — in fact, you 

“ I don^t think there is anybody but Moberley who has 
the right to use that word to me!^^ said Helen, spiritedly, 
‘‘ and he has not said it yet. But I don^’t think this is quite 
the time or place to discuss the matter. Lady Kinlock. 
We can surely find something pleasanter to speak of!^^ 

She would have called upon Georgie then and there to- 
return and take her part in the conversation, only she would 
have to address her by name, and she dreaded what the 
countess might say or do if suddenly brought into contact 
with her. 

Great ladies have been known to be not much more choice 
in their words or manners, when thrown off their guard, 
than laundresses or fish-women. 

“Just as you please, my dear,^^ replied Lady Kinlock, 
with an air of offense, “ but if I don^’t speak to you about 
it, I must to my son! By the way, is Moberley down here 
with you?^^ 

“ He happens to be down here to-day, but he returns^to 
Pittswood to-morrow. I drove him as far as Eottingdean 
just now, and dropped him there to walk home. He 
doesn^t take enough exercise. He is growing altogether 
too stout. 

“Will he be at home this evening 

“ I suppose so. ' I have heard nothing to the contrary 

“ Well, Pm glad to see you have a congenial friend stay- 
ing with you, Helen said Lady Kinlock, with another 
significant glance at the portiere. “ A lady like that is 
sufficient to keep all lower influences out of the house. 
Even if people who shall be nameless were to try and force 
their acquaintanceship upon you, you would still have to 
bear in mind the duty you owe to your friend!'’^ 

“ Who is sher^^ continued the countess, in a whisper, 
which Helen pretended not to heai\ 

“ People are not in the habit of forcing their acquaint- 
ance upon me,^^ she answered. “I am not the sort of 
woman to be forced into anything. Lady Kinlock. When 
a thing seems right to me, I do it, whatever others may 
say!’^ 

“ But you would always consent to be influenced by your 
husband, my dear!^^ exclaimed the countess, who was be- 
ginning to be alarmed by Helen’s determined manner. 


254 : MISS haerin-gton's husbakd. 

“ Oh, yes, I am always ready to listen to Will!^^ 

Or to your friends. I am sure such a refined-looking 
gentlewoman as met us here could never counsel you to do 
anything that was beneath yourself 

‘‘lam sure of it too!^^ replied Lady Moberley. 

“ Who is she? What is her name?^! whispered Lady 
Kinlock, for the second time; and Helen was on the point 
of braving all, and telling her, when the door was thrown 
open without ceremony, and the servant rushed in with a 
face blanched with fear. 

‘ ‘ If you please, your ladyship, you are wanted down- 
stairs immediately. His lordship has met with an acci- 
dent!” 

“ accident?’^ the three women echoed together. 
“ Oh, what is the matter? What has he done to himself ?^^ 
“ If you please, your ladyship, here is the doctor!'^ 

And then it was to be seen that a stranger was following 
close upon the footman^s heels. 

“ Have I the pleasure of speaking to Lady Moberley?” 
he said, hurriedly, as he entered the room. “ Your lady- 
ship must not be too much alarmed, but there is no dis- 
guising the fact that his lordship has met with a severe ac- 
cident, and we have brought him home. ” 

“ Is he dead?” asked Helen, faintly. 

“ Oh, no; decidedly not! But I fear he is injured. He 
was found lying at the foot of the cliffs at Rottingdean, 
and it is supposed he missed his footing, and fell over. ” 

“ Oh, he will die!” cried the wife, in a voice of despair. 
“ I am sure he will die!” 

At these- words, regardless of the consequences, Georgie 
rushed out of her retreat to try and console Lady Moberley. 

. To her consternation, she had learned but too plainly 
from the conversation in the front drawing-room that she 
had been playing hostess to her august mother- and sister- 
in-law. 

The circumstance would have afforded her amusement, 
had it not been for the possible blame that might accrue to 
her kind-hearted Helen. But when she overheard the ter- 
rible news about Lord Moberley, she thought of nothing 
but trying to be of use. She would have braved half a 
dozen indignant aristocratic families to requite, in ever so 
small a measure, the kindness she had received, and the 


MISS HAKRIKGT02Sr^S HUSBAJTD. 255 

first arms that were extended to support Lady Moberley^’s 
swaying figure were those of Georgie Harrington. 

Courage, courage, dear!^^ she exclaimed. “It may 
not be so bad as they represent Let us go at once and see 
what is to be done for him. 

“lam afraid your services would be useless, madame,^^ 
observed the surgeon, who had accompanied him home, 
“for his lordship is unconscious, and it is impossible to 
ascertain what injuries he has received until we have un- 
dressed him and put him into bed; but I do not like to 
bring him upstairs. 

“Take him into the back dining-room,'’^ said Georgie, 
authoritatively, “ and we will have a bed put up there at 
once. Helen, dear, you had better come down with me 
and learn the worst; any certainty is better than this sus- 
pense. 

She gave, the necessary orders to the servants, and led 
Lady Moberley to the side of her husband almost in a 
breath; whilst Lady Kinlock and Lady Hester remained in 
the drawing-room, speechless and useless from alarm. 

Lord Moberley, quite unconscious, was lying on a 
stretcher in the hall, carried by two policemen, and attend- 
ed by three or four persons who had witnessed the accident. 

Helen could not question anybody. Her face was stream- 
ing with tears, and she could only bend over her husband’s 
insensible form, and try to stifle her sobs. 

It was Georgie who procured her the information she 
was longing to receive. Lord Moberley, it seemed, had 
left her carriage at Rottingdean with the intention of walk- 
ing home along the cliffs. How or why he had fallen 
nobody knew; but some people on the beach had seen the 
accident, summoned a doctor, gone for a stretcher, and ac- 
companied his lordship home. And that was the extent 
that could be ascertained. Georgie rewarded them all 
round liberally, and got them out of the house as 'quickly 
as she could, by which time the bed had been carried down 
and prepared in the back dining-room, and the unconscious 
Lord Moberley was placed upon it. The doctor had 
already sent off an urgent summons for the best-known 
surgeon in the town, and they proceeded together to exam- 
ine the injured man. 

Lady Moberley refused to quit the room during the ex- 
amination; but Georgie bethought herself of the mother 


256 MISS HAEKTMCtTOM'S husbamd. 

and sister upstairs, and went to see if she could afford them 
any comfort. 

She found Lady Hester sobbing violently, and the count- 
ess, though silent, with her face buried in her handker- 
chief. The old lady’s grief touched her the most of the 
two, and she was the first to whom she addressed herself. 

‘‘You must not despair. Lady Kinlock,” she said, 
gently, “ Lord Moberley has every assistance that is neces- 
sary. Mr. Older ton has arrived, and they have already got 
him in a bod in the back dining-room, and -are examining 
his injuries. They may not be serious, you know; of 
course he is unconscious; he 'could not fall such a distance 
without becoming so; but he fell on sand, not beach; that 
is one comfort; the men who picked him up told me so.” 

Oh! are 3^011 stire he’s not dead?” said the countess, 
clutching her hand. 

I am quite sure; the doctors have said so over and 
over again. And Lady Moberley is so brave; she is bath- 
ing his head whilst the surgeons examine his body. Try 
and bear up. Lady Kinlock, and hope for the best; the 
suspense will soon be over. ” 

“ I wonder if they have made up their minds yet? How 
I long to know ! but I have not the courage to ask. ” 

‘‘ I will go and ascertain for you,” said Georgie. 

“Oh! how kind you are!^ What should we do without 
you!” exclaimed the countess, as she left the room. 


CHAPTER XXXVII. 

A RECOGNITION. 

The examination of Lord Moberley by the medical men 
resulted in the discovery that, although his body was 
severely contused, the chief injury he had received was a 
concussion of the brain, the ultimate effects of which it was 
impossible at present to determine. It was one of those 
miserable cases in which the anxious watchers are informed 
that all they can do is to wait. 

Lady Moberley, who was truly attached to her husband, 
sat down like an image of despair by his bedside and re- 
fused to stir. The countess and Lady Hester remained in 
the drawing-room silent and tearless, but white with sus- 
pense, awaiting the verdict of the doctors who remained in 


MISS HARRIIfGTON'S HUSBAMD. 257 

close attendance on the injured man. The servants lin- 
gered about the hall and passages in hopes of hearing some 
news of their master. Everything was thrown out of gear. 
The dinner was placed on the table at the usual time, but 
no one partook of it. It seemed as though it would be a 
sacrilege to eat whilst the head of the house lay between 
life and death. 

Lady Kinlock had crept down to her son's room after 
awhile, and gazed sorrowfully at his motionless form, which 
could scarcely be seen to breathe, but she could not com- 
mand her feelings sufficiently to stay there. The medical 
men would not permit of any noise or emotion in the sick- 
room. So the mother returned to her daughter and only 
shook her head when Lady Hester asked for information 
concerning her brother. 

In the extremity which had so suddenly fallen upon the 
household, Georgie Harrington was the only creature who 
was of any use; 'and after a little while the others turned to 
her for everything, as if she had been the ruling spirit 
here. It was she who thought of telegraphing for the earl 
to come down and give the comfort of his presence to his 
wife and daughters. It was she who went into the nursery 
at the appointed hour and took the place of Lady Moberley 
in hearing the little ones say their prayers, and persuading 
them to go to bed quietly without saying good-night to 
•mamma, because poor papa had such a bad headache. 

. Then she carried a cup of tea into the* sick-chamber with a 
noiseless step, and made poor Helen drink it as she sat by 
her husband's side. She even persuaded Lady Kinlock 
and Lady Hester to take a cutlet and a glass of sherry as 
.the night wore on, by reminding them that it was their 
'duty to keep up their strength in case it should be needed. 
And she did all this without the least air of authority, and 
not even because she wished to win the good-will of her hus- 
band's relations. She had almost forgotten, in her sym- 
pathy for their distress, that she was attending on Lady 
Kinlock and her daughter, and most certainly she had for- 
gotten that they were two women who had affected to de- 
spise her profession and herself. 

Georgie 's heart was large and generous, and any genuine 
trouble appealed to it at once. She saw only in the objects 
of her present solicitude a mother and sister whose hearts 
were trembling with fear for the safetv of a beloved and 

9 


258 MISS HAKKI^N^GTOK'S HUSBAND. 

valuable life, and she would have comforted them to the 
best ef her ability if they had been her greatest enemies. 

Lady Kinlock was not a strong woman. She had suf- 
fered much mental trouble on account of Gerard, and it 
had weakened her health. 

As the hours wore on, and no favorable news was re- 
ceived from the sick-room, she became faint and weary, 
and Georgie and Lady Hester implored her to go to bed. 

“ I promise to wake you if any change takes place, and 
give you the first intelligence of it,^^ said Georgie; but if 
you sit up any longer you will be quite worn out.^'’ 

I could not rest in bed-^ indeed I could not, urged the 
countess. “Every sound in the" house would make me 
spring to my feet to listen. I must remain here with you 
and Hester. 

Georgie did not argue the matter further, but, leaving 
the room, returned with a silk quilt and several pillows, 
which she arranged upon a lounge near the fire. 

“Now, dear Lady Kinlock,'’^ she said, “you will lie 
down here I am sure, and take what rest you can for your 
husband^s and children-’s sake. And I will sit close to 
you, so that if I even move you will be aware of it. 

She placed the old lady on the sofa and covered her up 
warmly, and then took a seat within reach of her. The 
countess stretched out her hand and placed it upon that of 
her unknown friend.^ 

“ I donT know what I have done thal you should take 
such an interest in me, but I thank you sincerely for it. 
You have been the greatest comfort we have had in this 
time of distress. 

“I am very glad if I have been of use to you. Lady 
Kinlock. But who would not feel for you under such a 
misfortune as this?’^ 

Lady Kinlock began to weep plaintively. 

“A misfortune indeed! If the worst should happen, I 
can not calculate the effect it would have on his father and 
myself. The future head of the family! My only son! 
Pray Heaven their efforts on his behalf may be successful !^^ 

“ But you have another son surely, said Georgie, with 
a tremb^le in her voice. 

“ Ah, yes; but a greater trouble than comfort to us — 
Captain Gerard Legh! Such a handsome fellow; not at all 


MISS HARRIITGTOlSr^S HUSBAI^D. 359 

like my poor dear Moberley. But he has ruined himself 
and us. I hardly think of him npw as a son. 

“ He must have done something very bad indeed to make 
you say that/^ observed Georgie. 

“ I grieve to say he has gone diametrically opposite to 
our wishes in everything. He was wild and extravagant 
both at school and college, and he has ended (as doubtless 
you have heard from Lady Moberley), by associating him- 
self with a set whom we can never receive nor acknowl- 
edge. ^ 

“ I don^t quite understand you. Tell me what Captain 
Legh has done,^’ replied Georgie. 

She felt that before long she must confess who she was. 
Lady Kinlock had approached the subject more than once; 
but Lord Moberley ^s accident had driven everything out of 
their heads but himself. But with the cessation of their 
suspense, however it might be ended, Georgie Harrington 
felt certain their curiosity would revive. How could they, 
when it came to thanking her for her assistance in their 
distress, do less than demand the name of the person to 
whom they were indebted? So, with the courage of de- 
spair, she led on to the attack herself. 

“ What has estranged you from your younger son. Lady 
Kinlock?’^ she asked a second time. 

“ He has made a most unfortunate marriage, my dear. 
His wife is a person whom I can not possiWy receive at 
Summerhayes, which of course cuts him olf also from all 
intercourse with us.^^ 

“ But I thought he was separated from his wife?^^ 

“ We have heard something of the sort; but we are not 
sure if it is true. At any rate my poor son has not told us 
so. But we have not seen him now for several months. 
Sometimes I think we shall never see him again. 

And Lady Kinlock turned her face away from Georgie, 
and began to cry. 

“You love him still, then?^^ said the girl, softly. 

“ Dearly, dearly! Gerard was always my favorite child; 
that is why I have felt his conduct so terribly. It has been 
a fearful blow to me.'’^ 

“ Is this— this lady he has made his wife such a very bad 
woman, then, that you can not even speak to her, Lady 
Kinlock?^ ^ 

“ I would not go so far as to say she is a bad woman, my 


260 


MISS harku^gton’s husband. 


dear, for I do not know lier; but she belongs to a profes- 
sion which renders her unfit to associate with me or my 
daughters. She is a common actress, appearing nightly on 
the public stage for the amusement of the crowd. Doubt- 
less you know nothing of such persons. It is not likely 
you should, for no lady who values her reputation would 
mix with them. But why do you move? Is the fire too 
hot for you? I like to feel you are near me. The only 
■ hope I have for my poor Moberley seems written in your 


face.^^ 


‘‘ I — I — do not think you are quite correct in your esti- 
mate of actresses,^^ said Georgie. ‘‘I know several who 
are not only gentlewomen, but good and pure, which can 
not be said for everybody, even in your class of life you 
know. Lady Kinlock.^^ 

The countess raised herself in her su] 



You know actresses, my dear? 


i < 


understand me. You may have met' them in crowded 
rooms — I have heard that our poor dear fiighty Helen has 
occasionally invited professional people to her house to 
amuse her guests — but you can not have received them as 
your intimate friends!'’^ 

“ Yes, I have. Perhaps you will despise me for it. Lady 
Kinlock, but I even know the lady of whom you have 
spoken — Mrs. Gerard Legh, your son^s wife.^^ 

‘‘ I can hardly believe my ears! If a cultivated and re- 
fined woman like yourself can speak of my poor boy^s wife 
in such measured terms, she must be a very different per- 
son from what I have imagined. Do you know that she is 
down at Brighton at the present moment?^^ 

“ Yes, I know it."^ 

Why, it is for that very reason Lady Hester and I came 
down here. I was so dreadfully afraid our poor thought- 
less Helen might be drawn into an acquaintanceship with 
her, though there is little chance of it now. Do you know 
that you would very much oblige me by giving me your 
candid opinion of this young woman ?^^ 

My candid opinion might not be so fiattering as that 
of other people, Lady Kinlock, for I know her weaknesses 
as well as her better qualities. But I can tell you so far— 
she is a lady — as much so as yourself — and she has never 
been contaminated by the profession you stand so much in 
dread of. She has always worked honestly at her calling. 


MISS HARRINGTON'S HUSBAND. 


261 


and she has had two safeguards against all temptation — 
her love of principle, and her love of her husband." 

‘‘ She does love him, then?" cried the countess. 

“She loves him passionately!’^ replied Georgie, in a 
voice full of emotion; “ but she is very proud, and much 
too high-spirited, and he has offended her so much, that it 
is doubtful if they will e\er live together again." 

“ Dear me! your account interests me very much, though 
I ought to have guessed my son would never marry any one 
but a gentlewoman. Do you know him also?" 

“ Yes, I know him — very well." 

“ And Mrs. Legh really is a good woman, then?" 

“ Oh, no, I would not say that, it is too much. She has 
tried to be good in hei life-time, but circumstances have 
been very much against her. Only she loves her husband 
— rest assured of that. " 

“ And why are they not living together then?" 

“ I am afraid some one has come between them. For 
Gerard — I mean Captain Legh — did love his wife very 
dearly once; but he has a high temper, as your ladyship 
must know, and it came between them and their happi- 
ness, until she left him to go to America, and they have 
not met since. " 

“ Do you think my son has behaved badly to her then?" 

“ I am sure he has behaved most unjustly, if he imag- 
ines there is any good cause that they should not come 
together again. " 

“ You seem very much interested in this young lady." 

“ I am interested in her. How could I not be? Her 
life is my life. Her sorrows and her joys are alike my own. 
For have you not guessed. Lady Kinlock, who I am? Can 
ncyt you see that I am Gerard's wife herself!" 

She did not cast herself down before the countess, nor 
perform any other melodramatic feat as she confessed the 
truth. She only sat a little apart — swaying herself gently 
to and fro upon the ottoman — and gazing fixedly into the 
fire. Lady Kinlock and Lady Hester both started to their 
feet with surprise. 

“ Do you know what you have said? Do you really mean 
it? That you are my son Gerard Legh's wife?" 

“lam his wife," answered Georgie, simply. “ I should 
not have approached you without your knowledge, under 
ordinary circumstances, but Lord Moberley's accident 


262 MISS hakrikgtom's HUSBAMI). 

seemed to call for my assistance. DonH imagine for a 
moment that I wish to intrude myself upon you. You 
know that for all these years I have never even attempted 
to make your acquaintance. And in the morning (or when 
I can be of no further use to Helen) I will return to my 
hotel, and you can let things be as they were before. 

But, my dear, they never can be as they were before,'’^ 
replied Lady Kinlock, warmly. “ Your attention to me 
to-night is something I can never forget. Besides, you are 
not at all the sort of person I pictured to myself. I can 
hardly believe, even with your assurance, that you are Ger- 
ardos wife. 00 

‘‘There are plenty of people to beay witness for me,oo 
said Georgie, with a sad smile; “ and Gerard himself, 
though perhaps he regrets the fact, would scarcely think of 
denying it. But I will go and see how Lord Moberley is 
going on. 00 

She left the room at this juncture on purpose to let 
them recover from their first surprise, and have an opj^or- 
tunity to decide how they should behave to her for the fut- 
ure. As she disappeared the mother and daughter gazed 
at each other in mute dismay. 

“ Mamma, what are we to do?o^ exclaimed Lady Hester. 

“ DOf my dear? Why, seeing her has completely revolu- 
tionized all my ideas. I was never so mistaken in my life 
before. I shall do what your father has been urging me 
for the last twelve months. I shall invite her to visit us at 
Summerhayes. oo 

“Perhaps she wonOf come,oo suggested Lady Hester. 
“ She seems a very proud sort of girl to rne.^'’ 

“ There was no pride in her when I needed her comfort. 
Hester, this has been one of the most humiliating discoy- 
eries I have ever made. I thought she was one of us at the 
very least. And to think I should have been speaking of 
her all this while as if she was lower than a servant ! I 
ought to have placed greater confidence in my son^s 
choice.^-’ 

Lady Kinlock was not a bad-hearted woman, but she was 
vain and bigoted. She had too much opinion of herself 
and her religion, and had considered it impossible she could 
make a mistake. But she was very fond of her son Gerard 
— fonder than she would ever admit— and the fact that a 
reconciliation with Georgie would go far toward a recon- 


MISS hareingtok's husband. 263 

ciliation with himself, may have had some weight in decid- 
ing the future attitude she intended to assume toward hei% 

I have been frightfully mistaken. I must set matters 
right between us/’ she was reiterating as Georgie re-en- 
tered the room. There was a smile on her face though the 
tears were in her eyes. 

‘‘ I bring you good news. Lady Kinlock/’ she said quick- 
ly. Jjord Moberley is conscious, and the doctors say he 
will do well. ” 

Let us thank Heaven!” cried the countess, as she sunk 
upon her knees, and her daughter followed her example; 
but Georgie stood quietly by until their prayer was ended. 

“ You do not return thaflks with us for this unqualified 
mercy said Lady Kinlock, reproachfully, as she resumed 
her seat. 

I have thanked Heaven already,” replied Georgie, 
simply; ‘‘ jbut you must remember I am not one of you. 
What right have I to join in your prayers?” 

‘‘You are one of us. You shall be!” returned the 
countess, as she folded her in her arms. “ I have done you 
a wrong, my child. Let me repair it. Be my daughter 
from this day forward, and come back to Summerhayes 
with us!” 


CHAPTER XXXVIH. 

“ HAUNTED.” 

The streets of London seemed to be filled by one word 
only, “Haunted.” It glared at the passer-by in crown 
posters from every hoarding. 

It was the fi.rst thing that attracted him on the knife- 
boards of the omnibuses. He could not walk into a pub- 
lic-house, nor enter a metropolitan train, without being 
met face to face by it. 

He saw it painted in red, and blue, and green. Some- 
times it was accompanied by a gaudy picture, and some- 
times it stood alone. 

'How he ran up against it in letters of six feet high, and 
then he found it stamped upon his pipe-light, until 
“ Haunted ” and the Royal Consort Theater were engraven 
on his mind. 


264 : MISS HAREINGTOI^'s HUSBAND. 

Captain Legli could not fail to see it also, and the sight 
annoyed him beyond measure. 

He had supposed, on his wife’s own testimony, that she 
would return to America and trouble .him no more. 

."Now she was coming to liv^e, as it were, upon his very 
door-step, and to play where he could hear the echo of the 
2)landits she evoked. 

He must either leave London, and the pleasures of the 
-season behind him — a proceeding which would vastly inter- 
fere with his comfort — or be subject to the risk of meeting 
lier any day in the streets, the park, or even at a social 
gathering. 

He would be forced to listen to the raving of all the idiots 
who went to see her play. To be made the confidant, per- 
haps, of their hopeless admiration; or be subjected to the 
fire of their inquiries as to the reason of his separation from 
her He felt that his position would be intolerable. 

He either glared at the posters, as if the letters were 
burning into his soul, or hurried past them with an averted 
gaze, as though he would ignore the fact of their existence. 

The word “ Haunted seemed to stare at him wherever 
he went. It followed him to his chambers; nor could he 
shake off the remembrance of it when he went to bed, until 
he began to think he was haunted in reality himself. 

One day, as he was passing [a hoarding covered with the 
odious announcement from one end to the other, he hap- 
pened to run up against Miss Sylvia Marchmont. 

This young lady had dropped rather out of favor with 
Captain Legh lately. 

He had begun to think she was very pert and forward, 
and would develop into being coarse and vulgar, and he 
had snubbed her occasionally in consequence. 

Sylvia did not take a rebuff Tvell. She was too silly to 
discern when she was corrected with judgment, and a cau- 
tion usually urged her to do something worse: And if 
there was one thing Gerard Legh disliked about another, it 
was a want of refinement in a woman. 

No beauty could atone for it in his eyes; he would have 
sickened of Venus herself had she been vulgar. 

Well,^^ cried Miss Sylvia, who w^as clothed in sealskin 
and sable, and had a considerable greater quantity of bloom 
upon her face than was due to the frosty air, thafs large 
enough, isiiT it?^^ pointing v/ith her umbrella to the 


MISS HARRINGTON'S HUSBAND. 265 

poster. “ Madame is determined we shall know she is 
come back again. I wonder why she's coming out at the 
Royal Consort. It doesn't look as if she had been such a 
tremendous success in the States, does it?" 

Gerard Legh did not care to talk of his wife to Miss 
Marchmont, but he thought himself bound to refute her 
insinuation. 

‘‘ You know that she was — as you term it — a tremendous 
success. And it is very natural she should not wish to miss 
a season in town. I suppose they give her large terms!" 

Bouncers y you may depend upon it. But it's little 
you'll see of it, my boy. By the way, I've just posted a 
letter to you! I've a crow to pluck with your wife, and I 
want to speak to you about it." 

“ Don't drag me into any of your feminine quarrels, for 
Heaven's sake, Sylvia! I tell you beforehand, that I 
shall refuse to interfere. " 

Well, you'll have to listen, any way, and we can settle 
that afterward. She has written me a most impertinent 
letter. ' ' 

Mrs. Legh has written to you f ' exclaimed Gerard in 
surprise. 

‘‘ Yes! Mrs. Legh has written to me," echoed Sylvia, 
mimicking him. “ Do you suppose I'm not good enough 
for your immaculate Mrs. Legh to write to? But she'll 
have to eat her words, or there will be a shindy. " 

“ What on earth can she have had to say to yoio ?" de- 
manded Captain Legh. 

He did not like the idea of any communication having 
passed between these two. 

“ Let us turn into the Burlington, and you shall read 
her letter. You must know," continued Sylvia, as they 
seated themselves at a table somewhat apart from the rest, 

‘‘ that hearing she was in London, I wrote to say I would 
go and see her. I thought it best to do so. We used to be 
pretty intimate at the Delphian, and I was afraid, if I held 
aloof, she might suspect something; and just read what the 
cat wrote to me in return. " 

“ Before I read it," said Gerard, gravely, as he took the 
letter, “ be good enough to understand, Sylvia, that I will 
not allow you to speak of my wife in such terms to me. 
You will please to remember loho she is ; and if you have 
occasion to mention her name, do it with respect." 


266 


MISS HAERINGTOIS^'S HUSBAND. 


“Oh! dear I’ ^ cried the girl, tossing her head; “ well, 
she doesn^t show much respect to ine. And who is Miss 
Harrington, after all, that she should insult ladies as good 
as herself?^ ^ 

“ She is my tvife,” replied Captain Legh, quietly, as he 
opened the paper Sylvia had handed to him. 

It contained but few words: 

“ My dear Miss Marchmont, — I must request you 
will not call upon me. Your behavior during my absence 
in America is well known to me, and I have no desire to 
continue our acquaintance. 

“ Yours faithfully, 

“Georgina Harrington-Legh.^^ 

When he had read this Oajotain Legh replaced the paper 
in the envelope, and returned it to its owner without a 
word. 


CHAPTER XXXIX. 

GERARD LEGH AT THE LACYSC 

“ Well!^^ ejaculated Miss Marchmont, sharply. 

• “ Well!'’^ repeated Gerard Legh. 

“ DonT be so silly, echoing my words like a parrot. 
What do you mean to do about it?” 

“ What can I do about it? Mrs. Legh declines your 
acquaintance, and there is an end of the matter. Ho yon 
wish me to ask her to reconsider her determination?’^ 

“ I think, if you had the spirit of a mouse, you would 
take up the cudgels in my behalf, and call her to account 
for having written such words to me. They are most in- 
sulting; they call my character into question; you must 
see that. ” 

“ Oh! yes! I see that! But my attempting your defense 
would only make matters worse. Besides, there is one 
great obstacle against it, Sylvia; Mrs. Legh only speaks the 
truth. ” 

At this Miss Marchmont had the grace to grow red. 

“ Well, you are not the one to say so. Captain Legh.” 

“ I should not dream of saying it to any one but your- 
self. We have been talked about, and the fact has 
damaged both of us. I am sorry for it. But perhaps 


MISS HARRINGTON'S HUSBAND. 267 

there is not much harm done, and if we are more careful 
for the future — " 

Sylvia tossed her head indignantly. She scented disap- 
pointment in the air. 

You're afraid, I suppose," she said, sarcastically. 

You think she'd tell your papa and your mamma, and 
they'll be down upon you." 

‘‘You hnoic it is not that, Sylvia! In the first place, 
Georgie doesn't know my father and mother, and — " 

“ Don't you try to humbug me!" interrupted Sylvia, 
“ for /know all about it as well as you do.- Charley Mac- 
farren told me first, and then Lord Didswell. In fact 
Lord Didswell had just dined there." 

“ Dined 

“ At Summerley — or whatever the name of the place 
where your people live is." 

* “ But what has that to do with my wife?" 

“ Why, she's staying with them — as if you didn't know 
that — and they are all as thick as thieves together. Lord 
Didswell said your father and mother made no end of her; 
and she was peacocking about as if she'd lived there all her 
life." 

Captain Legh could not believe his ears. Georgie down 
at Summerhayes! It seemed impossible! 

But if it were the case, he would not give Sylvia March- 
mont the opportunity to let all London know that he only 
was not aware of it. 

So, though he changed color visibly, he played with his 
walking-stick, and looked down, and refused to betray 
himself. 

“ I knew you knew it," continued Sylvia, indignant at 
his silence. “ And this is at the bottom of your tall talk 
to-day, is it? You think, now the earl and countess have 
taken her up, that you'll go back again, like a good boy, 
and obey everything that's said to you. Bah! I hate such 
twisting and turning !' ' she cried, as she rose, and shook out 
her skirts, and prepared to leave. 

“ The parson says we shouldn't hate an^dhing," replied 
Gerard, in his provokingly languid fashion; “ but you 
may be sure of one thing, Sylvia. Whatever course of 
action I may resolve on in the future can have no possible 
bearing on our relations to each other. W^e have always 
been good friends, and 1 hope we shall never be less. But 


^68 MISS HARKIN-GTON-'S HUSBAND. 

if our friendship has begun to be talked about, it is time it 
stopped/^ 

h’m sure I don^t care if I never see you again ex- 
claimed Sylvia, with a heated face. “ And it will be most 
comical to think of you doing penance down at Summer- 
hayes. I know you hate the place, and everything con- 
nected with it. I wonder how the earl and countess like 
the idea of ‘ Haunted^? Will the whole aristocratic family 
be seated in the front row of the stalls on the first night, 
do you tliink? or assisting to dress the leading lady behind 
the scenes? I -almost wish I had taken an engagement at 
the Royal Consort now. I might have had one if I had 
chosen. It would have been as good as a play to see the 
new patrons of the drama settling down into their places. 

I think it is just as well you didn^’t. Gbod-b3"e, I shall 
see you to-morrow, I dare say, or next day,^^ and, raising 
his hat. Captain Legh, to his immense relief, got rid of 
Sylvia Marchmont, and was free to pursue his way to the 
Lac}V. 

He had not seen them, except when meeting by accident 
in the street, since they had left his house; but he could 
think of no one else likely tcrbe able to give him reliable 
information of the doings of his wife. 

To imagine Georgie at Summerhayes, in the bosom of 
his family, seemed incredible. The last he had heard of 
her was when she went down to Brighton, and he had re- 
fused to follow. How could she from that point have 
scored such a success as she appeared to have attained? 

The Lacys were at home, however, and he had not long 
to wait before he was satisfied. He entered their room 
with a thousand apologies for not having called before. He 
had been busy — he had been ill — he had been away; in 
fact, he had been able (from his own showing) to do every- 
thing except find his way to George Street. 

He was received, however, very graciously. The mother 
and daughter had not quite determined what position to 
assume toward him for the future. 

They knew all about Georgie, for she had sent them 
voluminous descriptions of the battering reception she had 
met with at Summerhayes; and they thought that, in case 
of its being followed by a reconciliation between the hus- 
band and wife, it would not do for them to have appeared 
unfriendly with Captain Legh. Georgie at Summerhayes 


MISS HARRIi^GTO¥"S HUSBAND. 


269 


might mean an introduction for Marian there; and it would 
be awkward then to have openly snubbed the son of the 
house. So Miss Lacy kept her private grievance in her 
pocket when she came down to receive her visitor, and pre- 
tended there had never been any coolness between them. 

How are you, Marian?^^ said Gerard, ' shaking hands. 

I have just heard the most extraordinary thing about my 
wife — that she is down at Summerhayes with my father 
and mother — and I have come straight to you for informa- 
tion. Is it true.^'’^ 

“ Yes, it is most certainly true. But don’t you keep up 
any correspondence with your family?” 

‘‘Well, I never was a good correspondent, you know, 
and lately I have not written to j;hem at all.” 

“ Then you’ve not heard of your brother’s accident?” 

“ No. What, poor old Moberley? What’s happened to 
him?” 

“ He fell over a cliff in Brighton, and hurt his head. 
Georgie tells me she had made the acquaintance of Lord 
and Lady Moberley before that; but when the accident 
occurred the countess and Lady Hester Legh were there, 
and made friends with her over the affair — or rather, I 
believe they had made friends before they knew who she 
was. Any way, it is all right between them, and they have 
taken her and Sissy back to Summerhayes with them.” 

“ Extraordinary!” exclaimed Gerard. “ It is incredible 
to me!” 

“I don’t see anything extraordinary in their hking 
Georgie when they had once seen her. The extraordinary 
part was their never caring to make her acquaintance.” 

“Yes, yes; but their strong prejudices against the stage, 
and their taking her up just at the very time when she and 
1 had separated. It seems as if they had done it on pur- 
pose to aggravate me.” 

“ I don’t know anything about your private affairs with 
your family. I can* only repeat what my cousin has told 
me: she says they are kindness itself, and treat her just 
like a daughter.” 

“ And yet she is to appear at the Eoyal Consort?” 

“ She can not throw up her engagement, I suppose, and 
she still has to live.” 

“ Yes,” said Captain Legh, with a deep sigh. 

“And as for the separation, Gerard, it is entirely your 


270 MISS HARRIlfGTON'S HUSBAND. 

own fault; Georgie tells me you have distinctly refused her 
offer for a reconciliation. 

“ I know I have. There are reasons for my doing so 
which I can not explain to the world. You may remember 
what Mrs. Fletcher said in the letter you read me from 
New York, about her getting a divorce from me and mar- 
rying some confounded American?^^ 

“You are not harping on that old story surely. She 
didn^t get a divorce from you, andsoyou^ve nothing to 
complain of. 

“ But there are other things I have heard since, which I 
can not tell you. There is no doubt she doesn’t care for 
me. Her heart is fixed elsewhere, and the more we keep 
apart the better. ” 

“ Why did she propose to return to you, then?” 

“ She had some ulterior motive I suppose. You women 
are full of tricks and deceptions. No man is sharp enough 
to fathom you, and I have no proclivity for being gulled. ” 

“Just as your lordship pleases,” said Marian, coolly. 
“ I dare say Georgie is happier as she is. Your domestic 
life was not quite a little heaven upon earth, you may re- 
member. ” 

The allusion Seemed to gall Captain Legh. 

He rose quickly to take his leave. 

“ Well, thanks for your information. I am glad I came 
for it. I should not have cared to run down to Summer- 
ha;yes in ignorance of whom I might meet there.” 

“ You intend to run down, then?” said Marian, provok- 
ingly. 

“ I don’t know what I intend to do!” replied Captain 
Legh, thoroughly out of temper as he left the house. 


CHAPTER XL. 

THE FIRST*NIGHT. 

Although Captain Legh had received a confirmation of 
the rumor concerning liis wife he wandered about in a rest- 
less manner, unable to realize the turn in Fortune’s wheel 
which had placed Georgie under the protection of his par- 
ents. 

It seemed as if she had suddenly changed places with 
him, and, from being the suppliant, had assumed the posi- 


MISS HARRIJ^-GTOM^S HUSBAMD. 


271 


tion of the injured party; and since Lord and Lady Kin- 
lock had taken her up of course all the world would believe 
he was in the wrong. She would .tell her version of the 
story, which, backed by beauty and fascinating manner, 
was bound to procure credence; and if he ever desired to 
be reinstated in her favor and receive the countenance of 
his own family he would have to sue for pardon on his 
knees. 

It was not a pleasant predicament to be placed in, and 
Gerard Legh began to think he had behaved foolishly. 

The first night for the production of “ Haunted was 
near at hand, and he was seized with a sudden desire to 
witness it. He thought he should like to see with his own 
eyes the. change that he felt sure must have been effected 
in Georgie before she could have psychologized his parents 
to the extent of opening their arms to her. 

He had not the courage to be seen about the theater 
itself, for fear of being recognized; but when the eventful 
evening had arrived, and the time of commencement was 
close at hand, he suddenly put on his great-coat, slouched 
his opera-hat over his eyes, and made his way to the Koyal 
Consort. 

The crowd was immense. 

Outside, a long string of carriages blocked the way, and 
the police were keeping a space clear for the advent of 
royalty. Inside, well-dressed men and women were shoving 
and pushing each other as pertinaciously as their meaner 
brethren at the pit-door, and it was almost impossible to get 
near the box-office. 

Captain Legh, dreading to make himself conspicuous, 
waited patiently until the majority had passed upstairs, 
and then, approaching the desk, laid his money down upon 
it. 

Ho stalls left, sir,^^ said the box-keeper. 

Circle, then,’’^ replied Gerard, in a muffled voice. 

But Mr. Abram, the acting-manager, was in superin- 
tendence, and recognized the tone at once. 

‘‘ Very sorry. Captain Legh,^^ he said, smiling, ‘‘but 
we have no boxes or stalls left. I wish you had let me know 
earlier, sjr; but you can see the rush for yourself. 

“ Anything will do,’’^ replied Gerard, annoyed at the 
recognition. 

“ Dress-circle for Captain Legh,"’^ said the acting-mana- 


272 


MISS HAKRIifGTON'S HUSBAKD. 


ger to his subordinate; and then, thrusting the ticket 
through the pigeon-hole with the money that Gerard had 
placed on the desk, he continued: So sorry we have noth- 
ing better, captain. You should have written to me be- 
fore, sir;'’^ and left Gerard to push his way upstairs, won- 
dering how many people in the crowd had recognized that 
he was the husband of Georgie Harrington. He procured 
a seat quite at the back of the dress-circle, but he could see 
the stage from it, and that was all that he cared for. 

The house was crammed from pit to gallery. The stalls 
held a long line of representatives of the press, with their 
note-books and pencils in hand; behind them might be seen 
some of the principal members of the theatrical profession. 
The boxes were tilled with the leading men and women of 
fashion, and before the curtain drew up, the royal box was 
brightened with the presence of the prince and princess, 
who have done so much to encourage and patronize the 
drama of the present day. Large bouquets of flowers lying 
conspicuously in sight foretold the greeting that the favorite 
actress was to have on her return from America; and the 
appearance of the chef d’orchestrey with his gray kid gloves 
and his ‘‘ button-hole,^^ was the signal for a burst of pro- 
longed acclamation that must have penetrated the walls of 
Georgie’ s dressing-room behind the scenes. 

Captain Legh’s eyes roved round the house in search of 
some familiar faces, and it was not long before he descried 
Lord Moberley and his wife in a stage-box, and Lord and 
Lady Henry Masham in one above it. 

Lady Henry seemed in excellent spirits. She 'was 
dressed extravagantly for such an occasion, and was talking 
ill the most animated manner with the gentlemen in her 
box. Gerard thought of the time when she had sat by his 
sick-bed, of the things she said then, and the sentiments 
she gave vent to, and wondered, with a sigh, how people 
could change so easily. Here was she, prepared apparent- 
ly to do all the honor in the world to the woman she had 
so strongly condemned before him. And here was he, at 
the back of the dress-circle, in mortal terror lest anybody 
should recognize him; whilst she flaunted in one of the best 
boxes in the house, and did all she could to attract notice. 

He could distinguish Marian Lacy and Louise Metcher 
also, in different parts of the theater, and, never mind 
what opinions they had previously expressed about her, all 


MISS harrikgton's husband. 273 

seemed possessed with but one idea, to render homage to 
the heroine of the evening. It was no wonder that the 
world seemed turned upside down in the eyes of Gerard 
Legh. 

At last the curtain rose on the new piece, and all eyes 
were riveted upon the stage. The drama was translated 
from the French — cela va scuis dire; but it had been con- 
structed in its present form by two of our best dramatists, 
and its success was a predetermined thing. The main in- 
cidents hinged on the fact of a woman having purposely 
shot her husband instead of her lover, and gained all the 
sympathy for a virtuous action which she had never in- 
tended to do. But the knowledge of her crime haunted her 
so much through the -new life which she commenced, that 
it was worthless to her, and she ended by destroying her- 
self. 

It was not a particularly wholesome play; but it afforded 
scope for an amount of powerful acting, which would show 
off Georgie Harrington^s talents to the uttermost. 

As the plot unraveled itself, the audience followed the 
story with breathless interest; but all their thoughts were 
diverted into one channel as the heroine stepped upon the 
Stage. 

A thundering burst of applause, which rang out again 
and again, told Gerard when she had appeared; but he- 
shrunk back in his seat, and had not the courage to look 
at her. He had come there with the sole intent to gaze 
upon this altered being, who had so transformed her life 
and liis own; and now he felt as if to look at her would be 
to part with some of the manhood on which he prided him- 
self so'highly. Little by little, however, he took heart of 
grace, and nerved himself for the effort. 

As the acclamations of welcome at last died away, and he 
heard her sweet, sympathetic voice begin to speak, he roused 
himself, and bent eagerly forward. There she was, his 
wife, from whom he had been parted for eighteen months, 
standing quietly on the stage, and playing her part as if 
nowhere in the world was there any man whom she called 
“ husband.-’^ Captain Legh^s heart beat like a sledge-ham- 
mer as he regarded her. 

She was dressed in a white satin robe, which clung in 
graceful folds. Her fair face looked fairer than ever to 


274 MISS HARRIKCtTON'S HUSBAKDr 

him, under the gas-light, crowned with a pile of sunny hair, 
from which peeped every here and there a pearl. 

When he had once looked at her he could not tear Kis 
eyes away, but kept them riveted on her till the curtain 
fell and shut her from his sight; then he rushed to the bar, 
and, quickly swallowing some brandy, resumed his seat. 

He was dreadfully afraid of meeting any of his acquaint- 
ances. Something warned him that he could not have 
spoken of his wife just then. Criticism would have been 
out of the question with him, and to answer any inquiries 
torture. 

He fancied he had caught sight of his old chum. Lord 
Frederic Carr, who had lately returned from America, in 
the crowd, and the idea had made him hurry back to his 
seat. But the second act commenced, and he could think 
of nothing but his wife. 

‘‘ Did she think of hini?^^ he wondered, as the play pro- 
ceeded, and certain passages in it seemed to bear upon their 
mutual life. Could she speak such words and fail to re- 
member the cruel disagreements that had cut their lives 
asunder? 

When she addressed her husband in the melodrama, and 
warned him that anything of which she might be guilty in' 
the future lay at his door. Captain Legh leaned back in his 
seat, and tried not to listen. 

When she threw herself upon her lover^s breast, and 
asked him to be kinder to her than the other had been, he 
shuddered and bit his lip. 

At last he felt as if he could bear it no longer. The 
whole thing was torture to him; and, rising suddenly, he 
left the theater, and sought the open air. 

The clear, cold night revived him; and, after awhile, he 
would have liked to return, but he was ashamed to do so. 
He would wait to hear the public verdict till to-morrow. 

He went back to his chambers, and turned over the cards 
and notes upon his table. 

There was an invitation from Lady Henry Masham 
amongst them, for a supper at her town-house that very 
evening. 

Yesterday Captain Legh had scorned the idea. He did 
not care for supper and conversation at so late an hour, 
when every one was too tired to be witty. Besides, he was 


MISS HARRIKCtTON'S husband. 275 

a little out of conceit with Lady Henry. She was decided- 
ly passee, and she had too many strings to her how. 

But to-night he thought differently. She would proba- 
bly drag half the press critics home with her, and he should 
hear if the play was going to be a success or not, and what 
sort of a reception Georgie had at the close of it. Perhaps, 
also, he thought he might hear some more private news of 
her, for his ideas had been changing wonderfully since he 
had seen her again. 

He had expected, somehow, to find her quite changed, 
whereas she had looked just the same as of yore, when she 
was his loving wife, and he had believed that nothing in 
this world could separate them. And the fact had brought 
back with it so much of the old feelings he held concerning 
her, that the hard crust of pride under which he had hidden 
his true sentiments was beginning to thaw beneath them. 

But when he arrived at Lady Henryks house he found the 
crush was almost as great as it had been in the theater. It 
was a struggle to get into the hall, and quite an impossi- 
bility to mount the staircase. 

Fragments of conversation reached him from every .side, 
the chief of which naturally related to the event of the 
evening, and the unqualified success of ‘‘ Haunted.’^ 

Every one seemed to agree that Georgie Harrington had 
increased in power since her visit to America, and that she 
had never been able to depict passion and pathos as she did 
now. No one had anything but praise to give her; but, 
strange to say, scarcely anybody seemed to recognize him 
as her husband. 

A few men nodded to him from the crowd, and said : 

“ How are you, Legh? Congratulate you!^^ and disap- 
peared again. But the majority talked before him as if he 
were not there. 

It was not the first time he had had to swallow the bitter 
truth that he was nothing to the public without Georgie, 
and that when she was not present to shed the light of her 
popularity over him the public did not see he was there at 
all. 

He was beginning to feel uncomfortable, not being quite 
sure what he might hear next, and to wonder how he could 
get to his hostess's side, when the crowd on the staircase 
parted with a murmur, and, coming down between their 


276 MISS HARRIKGTOK^S HUSBAND. 

ranks, Captain Legh beheld, to his consternation — his 
tvife ! 

She was leaning on the arm of Lord Henry Masham, 
evidently on her way to the supper-room. She was robed 
in white satin, much the same as he had seen her in the 
theater, and she had j^earls twisted in her hair. But she 
appeared very wliite and weary, and her eyes had a far- 
away look in them, as if she was not attending to what was 
said to her. 

Gerard stood to one side with the rest to let them pass. 
He could not get away, for he was too much hemmed in 
on every side; but her close proximity made him tremble 
so that he had to grasp at the balustrade by which he 
stood. 

‘MVhat would she do,^^ he thought, “when she per- 
ceived him? Would she start — or change color — or spring 
forward, unable to repress the emotion he would cause her? 
Would she make a scene before these strangers, or would a 
silent clasp of the hand tell him all was right between 
them?^^ He forgot (for the moment) that he had desired 
all communication should cease between them. He forgot 
that he had repudiated her offers of forgiveness, and fired 
on her flag of truce. 

All he remembered was that his wife — the woman who 
of all the world belonged to him alone, was drawing nearer 
to him every moment — and that she could not fail to see and 
recognize him. She did not fail. As she was smilingly an- 
swering some remarks from Lord Henry Masham her eye fell 
upon Gerard standing at the foot of the stairs, and the 
smile faded from her lips as their eyes met. 

But she did not speak. Her gaze rested on him for a 
moment, and then she turned her head away and swept 
past him out of sight. He had been cut by his own wife ! 
At first he did not seem to realize the truth. Then he 
made a movement as though he would break through the 
crowd and get away. It was a difficult matter. Georgie 
and her cavalier had been succeeded by other couples, and 
the gangway was blocked. In his extremity. Captain Legh 
felt a tap upon his shoulder. He turned and saw the 
beaming face of Lord Frederic Carr. 

“ How are you, old fellow? Been wanting to look you 
up ever since I landed in England. Had such a jolly time 
out there. You doiiT want to stop for this supper, do 


3riSS HARKINGTON^S HUSBAKD. 277 

you? Beastly crush. You^ll never get in. Better come 
round to my rooms and have a B. and 

I will with pleasure/^ said Gerard Legh, delighted at 
the prospect of getting away. “ It^s an eternity since we 
met.'' 

“ I believe you, old boy. Lots of things to tell you too. 
Edge your way out of this as well as you can, and wait for 
me on the door-mat. I have a friend here and must look 
him up. 

After some little difficulty Gerard Legh found his way to 
the front door. In a few minutes Lord Frederic joined 
him. He was accompanied by a tall, handsome man, of 
rather foreign appearance. 

“ Let^s get out of this as soon as we cau,^^ said Lord 
Frederic, impatiently. How people in their senses can 
get a rabble like this together and call it pleasure beats me 
altogether. Come on, Legh. My rooms are not two min- 
utes’ walk from here. They’re small, but by Jove they 
are empty. 

“ By the way,” he added, as he stood on his own door- 
step, to let the two men pass in before him, I have never 
introduced you to my friend. Captain Gerard Legh — Mr. 
Hiram Boch, of New York.” 


CHAPTEE XLI. 

A SURPRISE. 

Gerard Legh had not forgotten the name of Hiram 
Boch. Had it been less peculiar than it was, his jealous 
heart would have registered it with every word of Louise 
Fletcher’s letter. 

JEow often had he vowed, that if ever he came across the 
man who had attempted to undermine his peace, he would 
call him to account for the cowardly advantage he had 
taken of his absence! 

But what we intend to do when the occasion is far off, 
and what we do when the occasion occurs, seldom agree 
with one another. 

Not that such a feeling as fear ever crossed the mind of 
Captain Legh. He would have stood up against his ad- 
versary without a moment’s hesitation, although he 


278 MISS Harrington's husband. 

possessed neither his strength nor build, had he been sure 
that he was his adversary. 

But it was the instantaneous doubt that flashed before 
him that held him silent. The frank, ingenuous glance 
of Hiram Boch disarmed him. 

It is true that, as he heard his name, Gerard Legh drew 
himself up stiffly against the wall of the entrance-hall, and 
returned his salutation with the slightest inclination of the 
head, and a stony stare that was intended to transfix him. 
But it lost its effect by Lord Frederic Carr hurrying both 
his friends up the stairs to his suite of rooms, and intro- 
ducing them to a blazing fire, and every aid, in. the shape 
of spirits and tobacco, to enjoying themselves. 

Now, boys!" he exclaimed cheerily, “ sit down and 
make yourselves at home. Here are the cigars, Legh; 
they ought to be good; they are some of a case my father 
has just imported from Manilla. What will you drink, 
Boch? Help yourself, man, as quick as you can, and try 
and shake off the stagnating influence of that frightful 
ordeal termed society. ' ' 

Under cover of Lord Frederic's fire, the men he addressed 
had time to recover from the shock of meeting one another, 
and to resolve how they should act. 

Gerard Legh came to the conclusion that he would do 
nothing — at least for the present. 

One can scarcely rush at the throat of a guest under the 
roof-tree of the friend to whose hospitality one is indebted; 
and he determined he would wait and see what attitude the 
stranger assumed toward himself before he picked a quarrel 
with him. 

After all, the rumor came in a woman's letter; and he 
had had reason of late to distrust the worth of a woman's 
word. He would not be friendly or familiar, but he would 
watch and wait. 

Hiram Boch, on the other hand, had no intention of be- 
having otherwise than as a gentleman to Georgie Harring- 
ton's husband. 

The meeting had not affected him in the same measure 
it did Captain Legh. He knew that Georgie had left 
America for love of this man, and had no idea but that they 
were living together at the present moment, as husband 
and wife should do. 

It had been a bitter disappointment to him at the time. 


MISS HARRIKCtTOM's husbakd. 


279 


but when he saw that to hope was not only useless, but 
wrong, he set himself to work like a brave, good man to 
root out the last remnant of his regret, and trj^ to be hapj^y 
in thinking she was so. 

He had but just arrived in England; and he had antici- 
pated, from the moment of landing, that he should meet 
Captain Legh, and have to be friendly with him for 
Georgie^s sake. Now that he saw him he was rather 
agreeably surprised at his appearance. He had expected 
to see a big fellow, who had mastered his wife as much by 
strength of muscle as by force of will. 

But Captain Gerard Legh was so essentially a man of 
fashion, with a delicate beauty, that made one think he 
could not raise his voice above the languid drawl in which 
he usually addressed his companions, that he knocked all 
Hiram Boehm’s preconceived notions of him on the head, and 
made him feel all the better inclined toward him. 

The three men sat down together — Gerard Legh at a 
little distance from the others, and quite prepared to ad- 
dress his conversation entirely to Lord Frederic Carr. 

‘‘Well, old man!'’'’ exclaimed the latter, who usually 
dropped his conceit and became quite natural in the pres- 
ence of his own sex, “ and what have you been doing with 
yourself in my absence? Up to all kinds of mischief, I 
net. I wish you^d have come out to the new world with 
me; you would have enjoyed yourself no end! My friend 
Boch and I only arrived at Liverpool this morning; just in 
time to see your wife^s dedu^. By George! wasnH she 
splendid? I expect youTe uncommonly proud of her — 
ain’t you now?” 

“She is undoubtedly a very talented woman,” replied 
Captain Legh, with apparent indifference. 

“You may well say so. You should have seen how she 
knocked them in California! The people went mad about 
her; didn’t they, Boch?” 

“ I understood that they fully appreciated Miss Harring- 
ton’s talent. But I was away in Chicago at the time, you 
may remember. Lord Frederic. ” 

“Oh! ah! so you were! Uncommonly stupid thing I 
did then, Legh. I suppose you know it is all due to me 
that you have your wife at home again. But they were 
riled about it, weren’t they, Boch? I thought old Maxim 
would have cut my throat! Though I suppose I only has- 


280 MISS hareikgton's husbakd. 

tened matters; she would have heard of it^ sooner or later. 
Youh’e all right again now, though, old fellow, I suppose, 
aren^t you?^^ 

I am all in the dark as to what you are talking about, 
replied Legh. 

‘‘ Why, of your illness. My sister, Mrs. Eaynor, wrote 
me the news when I was in San Francisco; and I went to 
the theater the same night, and thoughtlessly mentioned 
it to your wife, thinking, of course, she had heard it also. 
But the upshot was I frightened her so that she chucked 
up her engagement. She had to pay no end of money as 
forfeit, hadn^t she, Boch?^^ 

“ Sixteen thousand dollars,^^ said Hiram Boch, quietly. 

“ But she would do it, you know, and rush back to 
England to nurse you. By George! you ought to feel 
flattered, old man, at a lovely woman like that throwing 
her money to the winds in order to turn into your sick- 
nurse! But I don’t think you’re looking well yet, Legh. 
You’re very thin, now I come to examine you, and your 
eyes are heavy. Are you feeling quite strong again?” 

“I’m not quite myself yet; but I dare say I shall be 
soon. I had a nasty time of it; and the weather is against 
me.” 

“ And were you convalescent by the time Miss Harring- 
ton reached you?” 

“ Oh, yes, I was up again when she landed in England.” 

“ Well, I’m glad to hear it, for she suffered terribly when 
she heard the news. I thought she would have gone out 
of her mind. Boch can tell you all about it, for he accom- 
panied her to New York, and saw her on board the 
steamer; didn’t you, Boch?” 

“ I had that honor,” said Hiram Boch. 

He had hardly spoken before; but now he seemed almost 
anxious to join in the conversation. He was desirous to 
place himself on his proper footing with Georgie Harring- 
ton’s husband. 

“ I believe I have heard your name mentioned before in 
connection with that of my wife,” observed Gerard Le^h, 
stiffly. 

“ Have you? I feel flattered it should be so. I had the 
pleasure of Miss Harrington’s acquaintance in New York, 
and I met her also for a short time in California; and when 
I found she was returning to the city I was proud to be 


MISS HAERINGTON^S HUSBAKD. 


281 


able to offer her my escort. But she was in terrible dis- 
tress, as Lord Frederic says. I could do nothing for her 
but see to her baggage and deliver her into the hands of 
her friend Mrs. Lousada-Lorens. I trust that she is well?’^ 
You have seen her/^ said Captain Legh, and you can 
judge for yourself!'’^ 

‘‘ I saw her on the stage — yes, from the furthest corner 
of the pit, which was the only part of the house where we 
could find standing room; but I was scarcely in a position 
to judge of her appearance. And afterward, at Lady 
Henry Masham’s, where Lord Frederic was good enough 
to take me, she was so surrounded by her friends that I 
would not have presumed to have intruded myself upon her 
notice. But you will present her, I hope, with my kind 
regards and congratulations on the success of the new 
drama; and my love to my little sweetheart Sissy, whom I 
sincerely hope to have the pleasure some day of seeing 
again. 


I beheve you have a sinister design on that young lady, 
Bochl^’ exclaimed Lord Frederic Carr, and that at some 
future time we shall hear of your carrying her back to New 
York to help you to scatter those dollars, of which you 
have so many more than you know what to do withT' 

‘‘I could wish^no better fate,^^ replied Mr. Boch, laugh- 
ing, if only Miss Sissy will wait for me. She is a most 
charming little girl; and we were the best of friends. I 
think she carried a lock of my hair back to England with 
her.^^ 


“ l am surprised you have not seen Mrs. Legh yet,^^ re- 
marked Gerard, grimly, ‘‘as of course she is aware that 
you have come to England!'’^ 

Hiram Boch shrugged his shoulders. 

“ I don^t know how she should have heard it. Captain 
Legh. I have been in the habit for many years past of 
spending the season in London, as perhaps, if she has ever 
done me the honor to mention my name, your wife may 
have told you; but I crossed earlier this spring, simply be- 
cause my friend Lord Frederic wished for my company. I 
am going over to Paris to-morrow to pass a month or two 
with some of my relations there. I should have liked to see 
Mrs. Legh en route; but I am afraid she will not be suffi- 
ciently recovered from her fatigue of to-night. Therefore I 


282 MISS HAKRIJsGTON’S husbakd. 

must ask you to convey my best wishes to her, and a 
promise of caramels to Miss Sissy until my return/^ 

Gerard Legh was staggered. This perfect composure and 
conveyance of every-day messages to Georgie, through him- 
self, was not at all like the behavior of an illicit lover on 
finding himself unexpectedly in the presence of the injured 
husband; it was so undisguisedly friendly, and nothing 
more, that it took him aback, and he did not know what 
to answer. 

Mr. Boch, too, evidently imagined he was living with his 
wife, and the position was awkward in the extreme. He 
neither knew whether to acquiesce in his desires, or to deny 
that he had the power of complying with them. And as 
soon as Mr. Boch ceased Lord Frederic took up the ball. 

“ Where are you living now, Legh? in the same house in 
Blue Street?^^ 

‘‘No, I let it during my wife^s absence, and the term is 
not up yet.'’^ 

“ What a nuisance! You^re at Morley^s then, I suppose? 
Well, I want to look you up to-morrow about a little mat- 
ter of business. What time shall I drop in:'’^ 

“ If you want to see me you mustnT go to Moiiey^s,^^ 
replied Gerard Legh, with a short laugh. “ That^s where 
my wife is staying, /live in chambers in Rochester Street, 
and you’ll always find me in until two or three oYlock.'’^ 

“ Oh!’^ said Lord Frederic, significantly; and Gerard 
felt, rather than saw, that both the men were regarding 
him with su-rprise. 

“It’s no use beating about the bush,” he continued, 
rather fiercely, for he believed that the statement he was 
about to make would lead up to the quarrel with, Hiram 
Boch that he had been anticipating. ‘ ‘ The fact is, my 
wife and I quarreled before she went to America, and we’ve 
not made it up since, and I don’t suppose we ever shall. 
She made some friends out there, whom she prefers to my- 
self; and she may go back to them if she chooses, for I’ve 
done with her, once and forever!” 

“ I don’t believe it’s true,” said Lord Frederic. 

“ And I know it’s not true!” exclaimed Hiram Boch, 
striking his hand on the table. 

“ And pray, sir, what right have you to stand up for my 
wife in any way?” cried Gerard Legh, rising to his feet. 

“ The right of friendship. Captain Legh, and of knowl- 


^ ' MISS harkimgton's husbamd. 283 

Bdge. I had the honor of Miss Harrington^’s acquaintance 
very shortly after she landed in my country, and I watched 
her career all through. A lady filling so admired and ex- 
alted a position as she did could not have done a single 
thing unknown to the public. She was gracious and sweet 
to all, as it seems her nature to be; but she favored none, 
and all America knows it. If any of your friends have told 
you to the contrary, sir, they are false friends, who wish to 
injure you. There was but one person of whom your wife 
thought whilst in America, and that was — yourseif 

I am much obliged to you,^*’ said Gerard Legh, snort- 
ing and trembling, and looking anything but oblige! as he 
sat down in his chair again. 

“ Come, come, my dear Boch, thak’s enough inter- 
posed Lord Frederic, dreading a quarrel between the vis- 
itors. 

“ If you think so I will say no more,^^ returned Hiram 
Boch; ‘^but T could hardly say less of a lady who com- 
manded, as much respect as admiration from my country- 
people. But if I have offended Captain Legh, I ask his 
pardon. ” 

“ You have not offended me,^^ said Gerard, in a low 
voice, as he resumed his cigar. On which their host plied 
them with spirits and water and small talk, after the fashion 
of Englishmen, in hopes that a judicious diversion might 
revive the friendly feeling with which they had commenced 
the evening. But his kindly efforts fell flat. Neither Mr. 
Boch nor Captain Legh could be induced to talk much, and 
after a quiet half hour they rose to leave. 

Lord Frederic accompanied them to the front door, anx- 
ious to see them go on their different ways in peace. He 
was in consequence surprised and a little alarmed to see 
Captain Legh halt on the pavement and raise his hat, and 
to hear him say: 

“ Mr. Boch, if you have no objection I should like to 
have a few minutes^ conversation with you. My chambers 
are close at hand. If you will accompany me there, I can 
say what I have to say to you in private. 

My dear fellow,^"' exclaimed Lord Frederic, earnestly, 
‘^doiiT have any row, I implore you, for Heaven’s sake! 
Mr. Boch is my friend, and a visitor on our shores. If 
you fancy you have the slightest pretext for picking a 


284 MISS Harrington's husband. 

quarrel with him, let me be the medium through whom, 
your grievance is stated!" 

‘‘I have no desire to quarrel with Mr. Boch, " replied 
Captain Legh, and if I mistake not he has no more need 
of your championship or interference than I have, though 
I know you mean it kindly. I only wish to ask him a few 
questions. It is for him to say whether he will answer 
them or not. " 

Hiram Boch drew himself up to his full height. 

“ I am quite ready to answer anything you may wish to 
ask me. Captain Legh; and I will do so here, or in your 
chambers, or wherever you may fix the place of meeting!" 

“We will go to my chambers," replied Gerard Legh, 
briefly, as he hailed a passing hansom. 

The two men gotrin, and drove away together, leaving 
Lord Frederic Carr upon the pavement, staring after them, 
and anathematizing the unlucky star that had induced him 
to bring them together; for he fully believed that some 
great misfortune would accrue from that day's meeting. 


CHAPTER XLIL 

AN EXPLANATION. 

The occupants of the hansom did not exchange a single 
word until they found themselves in Captain Legh's draw- 
ing-room. Then Gerard turned up the gas, motioned his 
guest to a seat, and took one opposite to him. 

“ Mr. Boch," he commenced, gravely, “ this proceeding 
on my part may appear rather strange to you, but -I have 
something of importance to ask you which I could not have 
done in the presence of a third man. You appeared sur- 
prised just now to hear that I was not living with my wife. 
Ho you mean me to understand that you have no idea why 
there should be a coolness between Mrs. Legh and myself?" 

“ I have not the least idea," replied Hiram Boch. “ I 
will not deny that, in consequence of your not accompany- 
ing her to the States, a rumor got abroad that you were not 
on the best of terms. But when I saw the extreme dis- 
tress into which the news of your illness threw her, and the 
sacrifices she made to rejoin you, I had no doubt whatever 
that her devotion would be requited by your gratitude." 


MISS HAREIKGTON^S HUSBAND. 285 

It might have been/^ said Gerard, ‘‘ but for one ob- 
stacle. 

‘‘ And that was — 

Yourself r’ 

Hiram Boch sprung from his seat. 

I am the cause of your separation? What do you 
mean? In what way have I come between you?^^ 

“If you will reseat yourself I will tell you, rejoined 
Captain Legh. “ I mentioned this evening that I had al- 
ready heard your name in connection with that of my wife. 
It came to me in a letter from New York, written by a 
m^itual friend, in which she said that you were known 
Biroughout the city as an admirer of Mrs. Legh, and that 
it was reported that she intended suing me for a divorce on 
the plea of non-support, in order that she might marry 
you. 

Hiram Boch grew scarlet, but stood tirmly to his colors. 

■“ It was false he answered. 

“ I believe it to have been so noiv, or you and I would 
not be sitting here together, continued Legh. “ But I 
should like to know how it originated. There is seldom 
smoke without fire, and this fire, however small, threatens 
to reduce my household gods to ashes. When Mrs. Legh 
returned home and ofiered to rejoin me, this wretched story 
was rankling in my breast and I refused to see her, so the 
distance between us is wider than it ever was before. Some 
men, perhaps, on meeting with the person who was sup- 
posed to have done them so great a wrong,' would have cre- 
ated a scandal on the strength of the report. I have too 
much respect for myself to do so. Words you have let fall 
to-night make me think it may all be a mistake, and I ap- 
peal to you as a gentleman to tell me if it is so. If I am 
wrong — if you have dared to address words to my wife that 
you had no right to say, nor she to listen to — then the law 
may decide the matter between us. If it would be beneath 
my dignity to quarrel with you unnecessarily, it would be 
still more so to make a common, broil of an insult which 
nothing but blood could satisfactorily wipe out. I am 
waiting for your explanation. The sooner you can give it 
me the better. And Gerard Legh leaned back in his chair 
and folded his arms. 

Hiram Boch struggled with his feelings for a moment, 
and then replied: 


286 


3IISS HARRINGTON^S HUSBAND. 


You have treated me like a gentleman, Captain Legh, 
and I will treat you in the same way. Your informant told 
you I was an admirer of Mrs. Legh^s. She was right. I 
was her admirer, and I am so still. But I am nothing 
more, and for a very good reason, that she never would 
have permitted me to be so. The mistake arose in this 
manner. Your wife came out to Yew York as Miss Har- 
rington. No one knew that she was a married woman. 
There was no husband visible, and she never mentioned 
one. When I saw how sweet and lovable she was (and no 
man can help seeing that), I ventured to tell her so, and 
she put me in my place at once. She told me of her mar- 
riage and the circumstances under which she had come to 
America. She thought she owed it me for having permit- 
ted me to fall into such an error. And from that hour I 
never dared to address her in such language again. So far 
I fail to see where I have done wrong. 

I fail to see it also,^^ replied Gerard Legh. But what 
was this story of a divorce? 

“ When her friends saw that Miss Harrington was very 
unhappy, and unlikely to become less so, they urged her to 
take steps to set herself free. Hivorces are more easily ob- 
tained in our country than in yours. Captain Legh, and the 
lady she lived with in New York had passed through the 
ordeal successfully, and was most desirous that Miss Har- 
rington should avail herself of the same means to obtain 
her liberty. 

And you, I conclude, had no wishes on the subject, 
observed Gerard, sarcastically. 

‘ ‘ Pardon me, sir, I promised to tell you the truth, and 
I will. Had Miss Harrington obtained a divorce from you 
I should have been the first to lay my fortune at her feet. 
But the importance of the question lies with her, not with 
myself; and the fact remains that she did not obtain a di- 
vorce, and never even attempted to procure one. On the 
contrary, as soon as she heard that you were lying ill, all 
her anxiety was to rush to your assistance. She resigned 
the most brilliant prospects an actress ever had to return 
to England. She paid an exorbitant forfeit to get off her 
engagement; and I may say that every humble effort I 
could make to expedite her departure I made. I admired 
her so much — as a woman as well as an artist — that I was 
proud to help her to do what she considered to be her duty. 


MISS harrixgton's husband. 287 

Aiid in like manner, if it were in my power to bring you 
together again to-morrow I would. Do you believe me.^"^ 

‘‘ I do believe you,^^ said Captain Legh, holding out his 
hand, which the other grasped firmly. ''You have lifted 
a load from my mind, and I thank you for it. Help your- 
self,^^ he continued, his native hospitality immediately in' 
the ascendant, as he pushed the spirit-case toward his com- 
panion, " and I will tell you, as well as I am able, the part 
1 have taken in our separation. They told me she was go- 
in^ to sue me for a divorce on the plea of non-support. 
Well, I never have supported her. I acknowledge it; but 
I never saw my behavior in that respect in its true colors 
till lately. I was an idle sort of fellow when I married her. 

I always had been, and I did not consider the responsibili- 
ties marriage would bring me. She always made lots of 
money, and she seemed to enjoy her profession so much, 
and the cash came pouring in with so little trouble, that I 
never saw the necessity of my doing any work. But we 
are both high-tempered — myself particularly so — and 
when quarrels arose between us it always harked back to 
the old grievancerof my idleness, till I grew tired of it, and 
our differences became serious. But through it all I cared 
for her — Heaven only knows how much I cared for her!’^ 
said Gerard Legh, suddenly breaking down, " and I found 
it out after she was gone, and I felt what my life was with- 
out her; but we were both too proud to make it up— until 
she came back to me, poor girl — and by that time this 
wretched story had made me believe her letters were all 
humbug, and she had some ulterior motive for wishing to 
live with me again. I see now that IVe been wrong all 
through. I’m beastly jealous of her, and it has been a 
stumbhng-block in my way from the beginning. And now 
I’ve hashed my goose altogether, and I don’t suppose we 
shall meet again this side the grave!” 

"Oh! nonsense,” cried Hiram Boch, cheerily; " why, it 
only wants a word of kindness to make it all right again 
between you. She told me in California —she had no one 
else to confide in, poor soul! — that you were the only man 
that she had cared for in her life. She was in a fever of 
excitement and anxiety to get to your side. It must have 
been a terrible disappointment to her to find she had taken 
all her trouble for nothing.” 

" Well, she has consoled herself, at all events,” replied 


2SS 


MISS HARRINGTON ^S HUSBAND. 


Legh. “ My father and mother have taken her up, and 
installed her in state at Summerhayes. They have quar- 
reled with me for years because I married an actress; but 
directly we are separated they receive her as a daughter, 
and leave me out in the cold. I dare say if Mrs. Legh had 
her choice now, between giving up the patronage of the 
Earl and Countess of Kinlock and any further claim on her 
good-for-nothing husband, that it would not take her long 
to decide.^’ 

“ I dare say not, though I think her decision would re- 
fute your insinuation. But has it never struck you. Cap- 
tain Legh, that the fact of Lord and Lady Kinlock having 
chosen this juncture to invite your wife to Summerhayes is 
the best proof you can have that they consider her to be 
blameless in the matter?” 

“ Oh, they know nothing,” returned Gerard, testily. I 
believe they have done it simply to annoy me, because I 
have not paid them so much attention since her departure. 
Any way, she has the entree there, and the mere fact is 
sufficient to widen the breach between us.” 

“ I am very, very sorry,” said Mr. Boch. “ Of course, 
as a stranger, it would be impertinent in me to make a 
suggestion; but I repeat, that if there is any way in which 
I could help to make things straight between you, I would 
spend half my fortune to accomplish it.” 

‘‘ You are very good, but there is no way!” replied Ger- 
ard, curtly. 

You made an observation just now. Captain Legh, in 
speaking of the past, which leads me to suppose you regret 
not having been brought up to look at life from a more seri- 
ous point of view. ^ ^ 

Yes; I do regret it! I have thrown away every oppor- 
tunity I had, without thinking of the consequences it en- 
tailed on me. I see now that it is a man's proper place to 
work, especially when he has a wife like mine. But it is 
too late to think of it. ” 

“ What is your notion of too late 9 You can not be over 
thirty.” 

I am just thirty. 

And there must be hundreds of places open to you.” 

‘‘Not in this country. You know how much we think 
of rank and position here. I should lower my name by ac- 
cepting anything that did not accord with my birth. And 


MISS HARHUq-GTOM^S HUSBAND. 289 

as for secretaryships and governorships, and all those sorts 
of billets, I have tried for them dozens of times, but they 
have hundreds of candidates for every vacancy.'"’ 

“ I suppose so. Yet, if I should hear of such a thing as 
a vacant consulate, or any appointment suitable to your 
position, may I mention your name?" 

You f Are you likely to hear of such?" 

‘‘ As likely as most of your friends, I fancy," replied 
Hiram Boch, smiling. “ You must not regard me as quite 
a newly caught specimen of the Transatlantic aborigine. 
I have Hved almost more abroad than in my own country; 
and am as familiar with London, Paris, and Berlin, as with 
Hew York. I have very influential acquaintances also, 
amongst both the English and foreign nobility. It gives 
me no pride to say this, because I am perfectly aware that 
the circumstance is due more to the miserable incumbrance 
of wealth that hangs about me than to myself. Yet it gives 
me influence,, and an occasional opportunity to serve my 
friends; and if I can serve you, I am at your command." 

“I thank you," repeated Gerard Legh; and the best 
proof I can give you that I believe every word you have told 
me is true, lies in the fact that I should feel no humiliation 
in accepting a favor at your hands. Yes; if I could get 
work to do I should be very thankful. It would at least 
show Georgie that, whatever happens in the future, I shall 
never live upon her earnings again. " 

Then I will bid you good -night and good-bye," said 
Hiram Boch, rising from his chair. ‘‘ I start for Paris to- 
morrow, and I may be absent until the commencement of 
the season. But I hope we shall meet again. " 

‘‘ I hope so sincerely," responded Captain Legh. It 
is wonderful how this little explanation has changed my 
mind about you, Boch. I feel now as if I were parting from 
a friend. ' ' 

“ I am your friend. Let me think that you are mine," 
said Mr. Boch, with a farewell clasp of the hand. 

When he was gone, Gerard sat for some time with his 
pipe in his mouth, thinking over the interview that had 
just passed between them. 

He admired the frank manliness with which Hiram Boch 
had related the part he had taken in trying to shield Georgie 
against himself, and the generosity with which he had de- 
fended her character from the slightest touch of blame. 

10 


290 


MISS HAERIMGTOM^S HUSBAMD. 


It gave him a thrill of pleasure to remember that his 
wife had repulsed the advances of such a man as this, and 
preferred Ms sick-bed to all the admiration, excitement, 
and gain she had left behind her. 

He wondered if Boehms prophecy of renewed happiness 
between them could ever really come true; and that he 
should hold his dear girl in his arms again, and hear her 
say she loved him above all the world. 

But then he remembered, with a shudder, that only that 
very evening she had cut Mm dead, and left him standing 
at the foot of the stairs, with a sickening sensation of dis- 
ointment and shame. 



The recollection put all his pleasant dreams to flight, 
and tossing off the remainder of his brandy and water, he 
turned to the pile of letters lying on his table for some dis- 
traction from his thoughts. 

The flrst one he took up was from his father. He knew 
the coat-of-arms and the old-fashioned red seal too well to 
be mistaken. But he was anything but prepared for the 
contents: 

“ Mt dear Gerard, — I dare say you have already heard 
that for the last month your wife lias been stajdng with us 
at Summerhayes. 

“ Your mother and sister, Hester, made her acquaintance 
at Brighton, under very trying circumstances, when we al- 
most despaired of the life of dear Moberley; and were so 
charmed by the courage, and intelligence, * and womanly 
feeling she displayed on that occasion, that any little preju- 
dices they may have formerly entertained against her pro- 
fession completely melted away in the affection they could 
not help entertaining for herself — an affection which, I may 
say, has grown daily by an intercourse with her since. 

“ She made friends with everybody whilst she stayed at 
Summerhayes; and though we regret that previous arrange- 
ments have compelled her to leave us for the present, we 
hope, before long, to have her with us again. 

“ She has behaved like a real daughter to me, and so 
wound herself round my heart, that 1 feel the liveliest in- 
terest in all that concerns her. 

“At my earnest request she conflded to me the whole 
history of her married life w^ith you, and I can not help 
feeling that you have treated her with unparalleled cruelty 


MISS harrihgtok’s husband. 291 

and ingratitude. You have let this tender creature work 
for you in sickness and health, and not even had the grace 
to acknowledge what you owed to her. You drove her 
from England by your unkindness; and when she offered 
to return to you (which was much more than you deserved), 
you refused to receive her in terms of insult. 

‘‘ Georgie has appealed to me, as a father, for assistance, 
and I intend to help her, as if she were my own child. 

“ I can not make you do your duty in cherishing and 
supporting her, but I can at least protect her against being 
troubled by any claims from you in the future. From your 
behavior to her, and from the manner in which you have 
conducted yourself during her absence (and of which I, un- 
fortunately, heard too much), it is evident to me that you 
can not care for her any longer, and Georgie is of the same 
opinion. 

“ Under these circumstances, I have advised her to ap- 
peal to you, through her solicitors, for a separation by mu- 
tual consent. 

“ She has placed the particulars of the case in the hands 
of her old friend Mr. Harman, and I suppose Jolliffe will act 
for you. Under ordinary circumstances, you would be, of 
course, called upon to make your wife an allowance, but in 
the present instance she will not hear of it. Neither can 
it be necessary, as I shall make her future my care, were it 
only to try and repair the great injury you have done her! 

“ I conclude that Harman will communicate with Jolliffe, 
and let you know when the preliminaries are ready. 

‘‘You will be obliged to meet the poor child once more 
in order to sign the papers; but I shall be there to protect 
her from receiving any further insult at your hands. And 
it will depend upon how you bridle your tongue, when 
speaking of her in the future, whether you ever receive any 
further countenance or support from your father. 

“Kinlock.^^ 

“ This is a pleasant sort of communication to receive at 
three o^ clock in the morning,^ ^ soliloquized Captain Legh, 
with a ghastly attempt at merriment, as he finished the let- 
ter. “I am to be cut off with a shilling by my father — 
shut out of my house-— ignored by my family— separated 
forever from my wife — 

But here the picture he was drawing for himself proved 


292 


MISS HARRINGTON^S HUSBAN^D. 


too much for him. Gerard could proceed no further. The 
fall from his bright illusions to this depth of loneliness was 
too precipitate. There was no one to see him : he flung his 
arms out over the table, and buried his face upon them, 
and burst into tears. 


CHAPTER XLIIL • 

A DISCOVERY. 

As soon as the Ladies Legh had received the sanction of 
their parents' to an intimacy with Georgie Harrington, they 
derived the utmost pleasure from her society. 

It was nothing new to Georgie to find herself amongst 
ladies and gentlemen; she had been used to such association 
all her life, and never been persuaded to sink beneath it. 
If anything, the Earl and Countess of Kinlock, and the 
Ladies Hester and Alice Legh, notwithstanding their noble 
blood, were not up to the mark of her own friends. 

There was nothing objectionable in them, but there was 
certainly nothing to be desired. They were old-fashioned 
and dowdy in their manners and ideas, and they had very 
mediocre abilities. 

Lady Kinlock and her elder daughter had no ambition 
beyond attending to their Bible-classes and their poor, and 
the earl was simply a gentleman-farmer, who walked about 
his house half the year round in muddy boots and splashed 
gaiters. 

Lady Alice was the only one of the Summerhayes party 
who had the power to interest Georgie, though she was 
grateful to them all for their kindness to her. And the ice 
with which they had enveloped themselves having melted 
away, it really seemed as though they could not do enough 
to repair their past neglect. 

Lady Kinlock, in particular, whose maternal heart still 
beat more warmly for her recreant Gerard than for any of 
her other children, and who perceived at once how firmly 
her daughter-in-law’s affections were fixed in the same di- 
rection, treated Georgie more like a spoiled child of the 
house than a visitor. ' And to the Ladies Legh their new 
visitor was a revelation. They had never been brought in 
contact with any one so lovely, so sinrituelle, and so mar- 
velously weir dressed before. 


MISS HAREIITGTON^S HUSBAMD. 


293 


They were never tired of admiring Georgie^s voice and 
gestures, or of hearing her relate some laughable adventure 
she had gone through. They questioned her with such ar- 
dent curiosity respecting her theatrical career that she was 
amused beyond measure sometimes over the ludicrous mis- 
takes they made. 

“ What did you expect to find me like?^^ she asked, one 
day. “ Did you think I danced outside a booth, dressed in 
short skirts and tinsel, and banging a tambourine? You 
have the funniest ideas, Alice, of theatrical life that I ever 
heard. 

“ But consider, dear Georgie, that we have never been 
allowed to go inside a theater, so of course we have seen no 
actresses. When I heard you were coming home from 
Brighton with papa and mamma, I did not know what to 
expect; and when I saw you enter the room I could not be- 
lieve my eyes. Oh, you are so much nicer, and cleverer, and 
more beautiful than any of our other friends! I used to 
think Helen quite a fashionable beauty, but she is nothing 
beside you. How I wish you were going to stay here al- 
ways. I shall never be able to do without you again. 

“You silly girl!^^ said Georgie, But she understood her 
all the same. 

She knew what it was to have entered the charmed circle 
of Bohemia, where the wine does not sparkle more brightly 
than the wit, nor the diamonds than the eyes, and to feel 
that everything that came after it in the dull routine of 
fashionable society was “ flat, stale, and unprofitable.^^ 

Lady Kinlock, on the other hand, questioned her daugh- 
ter-in-law closely about her husband; but on this point she 
found Georgie unusually reticent. 

She would relate none of the quarrels of her married life; 
all she would admit was, that Gerard had ceased to care 
for her, and therefore it was better they should be apart. 

“ But you love him still, my dear girl; I feel sure of 
that,^-’ said Lady Enlock; “ and it would be far more re- 
spectable for you to be living together as you used to do. ” 

“ I can not agree with you. Lady Kinlock. I consider it 
the most dreadful fate to have to live with a man who does 
not care for you, and that is the state to which our social 
differences have reduced Gerard. Depend upon it he is 
happier by himself. 

When I remember how he quarreled with us all for 


294 MISS HAKRINGTON^S HUSBAND. 

your sake/^ replied the countess, ‘‘ I can not understand 
his present conduct. He was always wayward and hard t^ 
manage, but now he is incomprehensible. I used to think 
he worshiped the ground you trod on. 

‘‘So he may have done,^^ exclaimed Georgie, with an 
attempt at cheerfulness; “ but that sort of thing doesn^t 
last long as a rule. You see he is tired of worshiping — at 
least, at w?/ feet.'’ 

“ Oh, my dear, don^t make such a terrible insinuation as 
that! Whatever his faults may be, it is quite impossible 
that my son could be guilty of behaving in such a manner. 
A married man, too! You shock me beyond measure!’^ 

“ Mamma,’’’ said Lady Alice, suddenly entering the 
room, “ Lady Henry Mashamis in the drawing-room. She 
has come to see Georgie.” 

“ I don’t want to see her!” exclaimed Georgie. 

“ Why not, my dear? Is she not an old acquaintance of 
yours?” 

“ She is. Lady Henry has received every favor at my 
hands that she could possibly extract from them. She has 
accepted my services and made use of my influence — 
groveled to me in every way, in fact, that could save her a 
penny; but I have been in England three months, and this 
is the first time she has called on me. So it would seem 
that her visit is paid more to Summerhayes than to my- 

“ You shall do just as you like, Georgie; I will use no 
coercion. But I think I must see her myself, for I believe 
she nursed poor Gerard through the typhoid fever.” 

“ Ah, I forgot that!” said Georgie, with a sudden pang. 
“ Yes, we owe her our thanks, if nothing more. I will ac- 
company you. Lady Kinlock. ” 

It was a strange sight to Lady Henry Masham to see 
those two entering the drawing-room together. 

Georgie Harrington, with her svelte figure, fashionable 
coiffure, and mouse -colored velvet dress, made in the 
height of the fashion; and Lady Kinlock, in her prim 
black silk and worked muslin collar and cufls, like a house- 
keeper of the last century. 

She had not made up her mind about calling on Georgie 
until she heard she was staying at Summerhayes. 

Captain Legh had not proved so grateful as she had ex- 
pected for the attentions she had shown him during his ill- 


MISS HAERIKGTOH’S HUSBAKD. 295 

ness; still, she did not want to offend him until she knew 
Miss Harrington^s plans. But now she had been received 
by the Earl and Countess of Kiiilock, Lady Henry told her- 
self she had but one course to pursue. It was her duty to 
extend a patronizing hand to her once more. 

Hot that Georgie seemed much in need of patronage. 
She was as familiar with the countess as if she had been 
brought up by her side, and, stranger still, the countess 
was quite as familiar with her. 

Lady Henry opened the ball with a tirade of excuses for 
not having been able to call on Georgie before, but the 
weather had been so unfavorable, and she was not well, and 
her house was full of guests, and she had not a moment to 
call her own. 

Georgie cut her very short. 

There is no need of any apology. Lady Henry. Indeed 
your visit is Very well timed, as we only returned last week 
from Brighton, where we were detained by Lord Moberley^s 
accident. 

“ Ah, I heard of that. What a shock it must have been 
to you all! I hope you were not present. Lady Kinlock?” 

“ I was indeed. And if it had not been for the courage 
and presence of mind of this dear girl, I donT know what 
any of us would have done. Talking of Moberley^s illness, 
however, reminds me of your kindness to my other son. 
Lady Henry, for which both Mrs. Legh and I return you 
our best thanks. * 

‘Ht was very good of you,^^ chimed in Georgie. “I 
canT think what poor Gerard would have done at such a 
time if he had not been amongst friends.-’^ 

‘‘ It was nothing. I was very glad to be of use,^’ replied 
Lady Henry. But the coolness with which the remark was 
made puzzled her. 

Were the husband and wife reconciled? Had they been 
brought together again by the intervention of the father- 
and mother-in-law? She could not ask, but she did her 
best to find out. 

“ I hope Captain Legh has perfectly recovered from the' 
attack. Is he at Summerhayes?^^ 

Ho. He is in London,^" replied Georgie. 

Lady Henry was again at a loss. 

“ I was afraid this cold weather would be against him,^’ 


296 MISS HAREIMCtTON'S husband. 

she continued. “ I thought him looking very ill last time 
I saw him. ^ ’ 

“ When was that?” asked Georgie. 

“ Oh, a long time ago. I have been quite shut up at 
Hatleigh lately. Let me see. We met at the Promenade 
Concerts on the Antoinette Sterling night, the last day of 
November, of course — the thirtieth. ” 

Georgie started. She had that date written down in her 
pocket-book — the date on which Gerard had been told by 
some malicious person that she had gone to Richmond with 
Brabazon Chauncey. Could it have been Lady Henry 
Mash am? She became all eagerness to ascertain. 

“ At the Promenade Concerts she repeated. I was 
not aware Gerard had been there. 

“Oh, yes, he was— innocently enjoying himself, you know. 
And I’ll tell you who was there too. A person I most par • 
ticularly dislike, although she is a friend of yours. Miss 
Harrington — Mrs. Fletcher. She had a box next mine, 
and when she heard Captain Legh’s voice she positively 
pushed herself into our company and monopolized him the 
entire evening. I wonder you can cultivate such people, 
my dear. To me she is most obnoxious in every way.” 

“ I don’t think I shall cultivate her long,” said Georgie. 
“ Did she appear friendly with Gerard, Lady Henry?” 

“ I should think she did — more than friendly. She was 
positively affectionate! I got rather sick of it, and I fancy 
Captain Legh did also, for he left us long before the con- 
cert was over. Oh, she is a very objectionable person, and I 
mean to drop her acquaintance altogether. ” 

Then Lady Henry became effusive and confidential. 
There were other people in the room, and she was able to 
lower her voice as she spoke to Georgie. 

“ Well, dear, and so you are really home again. We 
heard all about your triumphs in America of course. What 
a pleasure and surprise to meet you here ! But it is only 
what it ought to be.” 

“ Yes, I suppose so,” answered Georgie; “ and I have 
only one regret that I did not know them all sooner. They 
are so good and kind to me !” 

“ And so they ought to be. I suppose you will give up 
the stage now?” 

“ Indeed I have no such intention. On the contrary, I 
appear at the Royal Consort next week. ” 


MISS* HAKKII^GTOI^'S HUSBAND. 297 

I saw the announcement, but fancied the engagement 
would he canceled. Lord and Lady Kinlock being so 
strongly prejudiced against the profession.-’^ 

They do not like it, but they see the necessity of my 
pursuing it. What else have we to live on? You know 
that the Kinlocks are not rich enough to pension us 
“ And Captain Legh has not yet found anything to do, 
then?’^ said Lady Henry, sympathetically. 

‘‘ I did not know he was on the lookout for it!’’ 

‘‘ Oh, yes! He consulted Lord Heniy on the subject more 
than once. But it is so difficult to find work for a gentle- 
man!” 

Lady Henry,” said Georgie, suddenly, ‘‘ don’t think I 
ask from idle curiosity, but did you hear what Louise 
Fletcher was talking to my husband about on the night of 
the Promenade Concerts?” 

“ I can’t repeat the words, my dear, but it was all about 
you, I am sure of that, for I heard the name of Mr. 
Brabazon Chauncey (isn’t he your agent?) more than once. 

I don’t think Mrs. Fletcher is much of a friend of yours. 
Miss Harrington. ” 

“ I don’t think she is,” said Georgie, quietly. 

But as soon as the visitor had taken her leave she told 
Lady Kinlock she had some business that would take her 
up to town at once. 

Not to-night, Georgie, surely?” exclaimed her mother- 
in-law. “It is nearly four o’clock; you can not be home 
again till after dark.”' 

“ Never mind, dear Lady Kinlock, I will sleep at my 
aunt’s. But I have heard something that requires my at- 
tention at once, and I must go up to-night.” 

Lady Kinlock — not without bewailing the fact of her 
having to leave them, and insisting upon her being accom- 
panied by Eachel — ordered the carriage to convey her to 
the station; ai/d in a couple of hours she was standing in 
the presence of Louise Fletcher. Mrs. Fletcher had re- 
moved from Morley’s to some less expensive domicile, and 
she professed to be dehghted to see her dear Georgie again. 

“ This is a surprise, darling,” she exclaimed, as she flew 
to meet her; “ I was afraid your grand friends would make 
you forget all about poor me. But I ought to have known 
you better! Oh! I am pleased to see you again.” 

She would have embraced her, but Georgie put her back. 


298 


MISS HAEEIKGTON^S HUSBAND. 


“ Stop, Louise/" she said. Before I kiss you I would 
like to ask you a question. You were at the Promenade 
Concerts on the thirtieth of last hTovember, and you met 
my husband there. What did you say to him?"" 

Louise Fletcher grew white through her rouge. 

“ What did I say to him, dear? Why, how can I re- 
member at this distance of time? I did meet him, I think, 
in Lady Henry Masham"s box; but we scarcely exchanged 
two words. It is not likely I should be more than civil to 
the creature."" 

“ Try and think,"" replied Georgie; “ I have Lady Hen- 
ry" s testimony that you said more than two words to him, 
and my husband"s as to the subject of your conversation."" 

“ If that is the case, why should you want mine?"" de- 
manded Louise, boldly. 

“ Because, if what I suspect is true, all intimacy must 
cease between us, and I am loath to break the friendship of 
years without good reason. Shall I jog your memory for 
you, Louise? You told Gerard on that occasion that I had 
driven about London with Brabazon Chauncey, and gone 
down to Eichmond with him."" 

“ I did not say so. I said he ashed you, and you would 
have liked to go."" 

“ That is enough. You have confessed it was the topic 
of your conversation with him. "" 

“ Why should it not be? I said nothing but the truth. 
You did drive with Mr. Chauncey."", 

“ I did. You knew on what occasion and for what dis- 
tance. You knew, also, that I purposely avoided going 
down to Eichmond for fear my husband might not like it. 
You saw my tears — my self-abasement. You were witness 
to my agony at our estrangement; to my joy at the pros- 
pect of our reconciliation; and yet you could tell him — on 
that very night when he had made up his mind to join me 
again — a story which you hnew would uproot all his good 
resolutions — which has, perhaps, parted us forever. Louise, 
when I received his letter to say what he had heard, but 
not from whom he had heard it, I registered a vow that if 
it took me to the last day of my life I would find out the 
person who had done me that wrong, and erase his name 
from the number of my friends. And now I find that it 
was youJ^ 


MISS haerington’s husband. 299 

She paused for a reply, but none came. Mrs. Fletcher 
was too much ashamed to speak. 

I have not been so bad a friend to you as that,^^ con- 
tinued Georgie, thinking of the good turn she had done her 
with respect to Charlie Randall, although she was too gen- 
erous to remind her of it; “ and I hardly think I have de- 
served it at your hands; but it will be the last injury you 
will do me, Louise. From this moment you and I are 
strangers. 

Views of all she would lose in giving up the acquaintance- 
ship of the acknowledged daughter-in-law of the Earl and 
Countess of Kinlock flitted through Mrs. Fletcher^s brain, 
and she was ready to abase herself before Georgie Harring- 
ton in order to induce her to change her mind. 

“ Oh, Georgie, my dear, you must forgive me! It was an 
entire mistake. I never thought Captain Legh would make 
any use of it; and I will go and confess the whole matter 
to him at once if it will be of any good to you. Only say 
you will be friends as we were before. 

“ Ho, Louise, I can not say it — it is impossible. The 
very knowledge has made me no longer your friend. This 
is the last time you will see me in your house, and I will 
never receive you in mine again. 

* Louise Fletcher cast herself on the sofa crying: 

“ Oh, dear! Oh, dear! And when I have loved you so!^^ 

“ DonT dare to call your feeling for me love!^^ said 
Georgie, sternly. “ You have loved only one creature - 
yotirself — and you must suffer for it. I will never expose 
myself* to your treachery again. 

And without another look at the crest-fallen Louise, she 
passed down- stairs and went to see her aunt, Mrs. Lacy. 


CHAPTER XLIV. 

THE EARLES ADVICE. 

Georgie visit was apparently timed at an inopportune 
moment. Mrs. Lacy was laid up with an attack of sciatica, 
and Marian was from home staying with some friends. 

She went up to her aunt’s bedroom, but she did not feel 
disposed to repose any confldence in her respecting Louise 
Fletcher. She had never been otherwise than friendly with 
Mrs. Lacy; but they had never amalgamated. The wonder 


300 


MISS HAKEIMGTOM^S HUSBAND. 


was, that such a woman as Georgie Harrington had ever 
made a friend of her cousin Marian. But the tie of rela- 
tionship carries its credentials with it. 

‘‘ I am so sorry to find you ill. Aunt Laura she ex- 
claimed, as she entered the sick-room. “ I came up to town 
this afternoon with Eachel on a little business, and I 
thought I would send her to sleep at her own home, and 
share Marianas bed. It is a long time since she and I had 
a long talk together. 

“ Marian is staying with the Miltons until Monday, re- 
plied Mrs. Lacy. “ I think it is very selfish of her to 
leave me when I am unable to help myself; but young 
people will have their own way. I am in dreadful pain, 
Georgie. I can not turn without screaming; and I have 
no one to wait on me but the house-servant Dr. Peebles 
says I should have a regular attendant; but how can I 
afford all the waste and expense of a sick-nurse? Marian 
ought to be here to look after me herself 

I quite agree with you. Aunt Laura; and if you will 
give me her address I will write and tell her how ill I have 
found you. I am sure she can not be aware of it, or she 
would return home. Meanwhile shall I leave Eachel with 
you? She is an excellent nurse, and she will be very econ- 
omical until Marian comes back; and if I remain here tiy 
to-morrow morning I can go to Summerhayes perfectly well 
by myself. Let her stay with you. Aunt Laura, while you 
are alone. I know you will find her a comfort. 

“ It is very good of you to propose it, Georgie; but you 
always do think of something kind to do or to say. I 
wish,^^ said Mrs. Lacy, with a sudden twinge of con- 
science, “ I wish, my dear, that Marian and I had always 
been as good to you as you have been to u^!’^ 

“ Oh, that^s nonsense. Aunt Laura,^-’ rejoined her niece, 
cheerfully. “ You haven ^t been placed in the same cir- 
cumstances as I have. Now, I shall consider that a settled 
thing. I shall write to Marian to-night to cut her visit as 
short as possible, and I shall leave Eachel here to look 
after you till her return. I would stay myself, but they 
want me at Summerhayes to-morrow, as it is Lady Aliceas 
birthday/^ 

‘‘ And so they treat you just like a daughter of the 
house?’^ said Mrs. Lacy, admiringly. “ It is wonderful to 
think of, is it not, when one remembers how they stood off 


MISS HAERIMGTOM^S HUSBAOT. 301 

for years, and treated you as if you were not worthy of 
their acquaintance?^^ 

“ I try not to think of that now/’ replied Georgie; ‘‘ and 
indeed they are all so kind to me and Sissy that I should 
be ungrateful to remember it. They didn’t know me, you 
see. Aunt Laura; and now they do they make no difference 
between me and their own daughters. I am just as happy 
as I can be — under present circumstances,” she added, 
with a sigh. 

“ And do they live in a very grand style, my dear?” 

‘‘ Not at all; in the homeliest way possible. We break- 
fast at nine, lunch at two, and dine at seven, like the com- 
monest of mortals. Lady Kinlock and Hester spend all 
the mornings looking after the house and visiting the poor. 
And the earl and Lady Alice trot about the farm, generally 
accompanied by Sissy. They seldom have visitors, and when 
they do they make no difference in their plans for them. ” 

‘‘ And what do you do, my dear?” 

“ Oh, replied Georgie, indifferently, ‘‘ I do anything 
— read, or ride, or play. It’s all the same to me now. 
Lately I have been rehearsing. I suppose you know that 
I appear at the Eoyal Consort on the twentieth of March?” 
. “So I have heard; but I confess it surprised me. I 
never thought, when you had been once to Summerhayes, 
*that you would ever step on the stage again. ” 

“ But why, Aunt Laura? I am only on a visit to Lord 
and Lady fcnloc'k. They have not adopted me. And 
how am I to live without my profession?” 

“ You must have made enough by this time, my dear, 
to retire on!” 

“ No, I haven’t; at least, it might be enough if I were 
quite alone; but if — if-— Gerard and I come together again 
it would not keep us in the style in which we have been ac- 
customed to live. ” 

“ My dear Georgie, you are never hankering after that 
man still, surely! I dare say when he finds you are made 
much of at Summerhayes he will want to make it up with 
you; but I hope you have too much pride to consent.” 

“ I don’t know what I should' do, Aunt 'Laura. He has 
wounded my pride so sorely that often I say to myself that' 
it is quite impossible we should ever live together again. 
But, on the other hand, I feel sometimes as if I were an 
impostor to take all the benefits they heap on me at Sum- 


302 


MISS HAKRINGTOM^S HUSBAKD. 


merhayes, while he — their own son — derives no gopd from 
being my husband. It weighs upon my conscience, Aunt 
Laura. I wish Gerard would take an allowance from me; 
I should feel then that I was doing something in return for 
his parents^ kindness to me.^^ 

should think Captain Legh could hardly be as mean 
as that, Georgie!'’^ 

“ Would it be mean. Aunt Laura? You know he mar- 
ried me when I was earning a certain income; and since he 
squandered his own money, has he not a sort of right to 
share mine? For he is very poor, you know. Sometimes 
I can not bear to think how poor he is, and how few luxu- 
ries he can have, compared to what he used to enjoy. 

And Georgie suddenly laid her bright head down on the 
counterpane, and burst into tears. 

“ Well, my dear, your conduct is incredible to me,^’ said 
Mrs. Lacy, unsympathetically. ‘‘ Captain Legh didn^t 
think of you in this fashion when you were away; I can 
answer for that.'’^ 

‘‘ I know he forgot both me and his duty,'’' replied, 
Georgie, proudly, dashing away her tears, “but people 
came between ns. Aunt Laura, and made our rupture 
worse. 1 have found out things — ' ' 

“ What tilings?" interrupted Mrs. Lacy, with a quick 
look of alarm. “ I am sure I never said anything but what 
was calculated to show Captain Legh how wrongly he was 
acting toward you. " 

“ It was nothing to do with you. Aunt Laura. I was 
thinking of quite another person. But may I tell Rachel 
to order up your tea? I shall quite enjoy having a cup 
with you, when I have laid my walking-things aside. " 

She dispatched her maid for various delicacies that she 
thought might tempt the appetite of the invalid; and in- 
troduced so cheerful an atmosphere into the sick-room that 
Mrs. Lacy made an excellent meal, and declared she felt 
better than she had done since her illness began. 

But Georgie's cheerfulness was put on for the occasion. 
In reality, she felt sore and sick at heart; for it is when 
those we have trusted prove untrue that we feel as if the 
solid ground were crumbling beneath our feet. 

She was thankful when the time came for the invalid to 
be left to sleep, and she could retire to Marian's room, 
which she- was to occupy for the night. 


MISS HAKRIHGTOH^S HUSBAND. 


303 


She had obtained the address of the people with whom 
her cousin was sta3dng, and sat down, as soon as she was 
alone, to fulfill her promise to write and tell her to come 
home. But it was difficult to find the means of accom- 
plishing her purpose in Marianas bedroom. 

Miss Lacy was one of those unaccountable persons who 
never keep anything in its proper place. Her work-basket 
was full of old letters — pieces of sealing-wax, and ends of 
pencils — and the drawers of her writing-table disclosed a 
heterogeneous mass of undarned stockings, hair-pins, and 
cosmetics, mixed with broken pen-holders, half-scribbled 
sheets of note-pap( 



corner, and 


Georgie found 


was turning over its pages mechanically, thanking her stars 
meanwhile that she was not condemned to live her life in 
the same room with Marian Lacy, when her eye was at- 
tracted by blots of red ink. 

Ked ink is not used as a rule in every-day correspondence, 
and the sight recalled a disagreeable memory to Georgie 
Harrington — that of the notes made upon the pages cut 
from her husband’s diary. 

It was strange that she had never troubled herself to dis- 
cover who had sent her those pages, nor had even con- 
nected the idea of her cousin Marini with the sender. For, 
in the first place, their contents had made everything else 
concerning them assume a secondary importance. And 
secondly, they had been sent from Hull, a place she had 
only heard of before; and she did not know, at the tiine 
they reached her, that the Lacys were keeping house for 
Captain Legh. 

Everything had tended at the moment to divert her at- 
tention from them; but just now her senses were all on tlie 
alert to find out who were her enemies, and ivho were not. 

' The blots of red ink were not sufficient all at once to ex- 
cite her suspicions with regard to Marian, but they caused 
her to inspect the paper more particularly, as she recalled 
the mean trick that had been played upon her husband and 
herself. And as she did so, some formation in the reversed 
letters made her seize the blotting-paper and hold it up to 
the light. To her consternation she read the self-same 
words: 

These are sent you by a friend. S. M. stands for 
Sylvia Marchmont. His diary is full of such entries. ” 


304 


MISS HAKEINGTOM^S HUSBAND. 


It was her cousin Marian, then, who had plotted to de- 
stroy her peace of mind in this dastardly manner! As 
Georgie recognized the fact she laid down the paper with a 
trembling hand. 

Was there no truth, no honor, among womankind? 
Could no one of them be an honest, faitliful friend to the 
other? 

As soon as Georgie felt calm enough to do it she cut out 
the piece of blotting-paper from the case, and inclosing it 
in an envelope, wrote the following lines: 

‘‘ My DEAK MAEIAN,~-I*writfe, by the request of your 
mother, to ask you to return home and nurse her, as she is 
too ill to be left alone. In using your blotting-case I came 
across the inclosed sheet. I understand now who extracted 
the pages from my husband ^s diary, and sent them anony- 
mously to me in New York, and you will understand why 
I can never trust nor believe in you for the future. 

“ Yours truly, 

“ Geokgie Hakkington. 

Slie had made a vow that she would cut herself off, root 
and branch, from all those who had helped to separate her 
from Gerard during her, absence in America, and she would 
keep her resolution. She might have to suffer to her lifers 
end for the breach which he had made, and others /had 
widened between them, but she would save herself, as far 
as. possible, from the indignity of receiving the hypocritical 
condolences and false sympathy of those who were her 
worst enemies. 

She passed a restless night after this miserable discovery, 
and returned to Summerhayes as early as she could in the 
morning; but she did not say a word to Mrs. Lacy of her 
trouble. She thought it not impossible that she might 
have known of her daughter^'s action, and quite improbable 
that she should see it in the same light her niece did. 

The country air and scenery looked bright and whole- 
some after the dullness and darkness of London; but Georgie 
could not shake off her depression with the change of at^ 
iiiosjihere. She was in a melancholy and half-tearful moc^ 
all day; and in the afternoon Lord Kinlock, going into ^s 
library, found his daughter-in-law on the sofa weeping 
quietly to herself. The sight roused the old gentleman^s 
sympathy. 


MISS HARKIHGTON^S HUSBAND. 


305 


‘‘ Why, my dear child/'’ he said, taking her hands, 
“ what is this? Crying on Aliceas birthday! Have you 
heard anything of Gerard? Tell me the reason of your 
tears?'” 

‘‘ They have nothing to do witl^ Gerard,” replied Georgie, 
as*she dried her streaming eyes. “ I am crying. Lord Kin- 
lock, over the grave of a dead friendship. It is so bitterly 
hard to find one has been deceived.” 

And then she went into detail, and told her father-in-law 
of her discovery of the falsehood of Louise Metcher and 
Marian Lacy. She had to mentipn the contents of Gerardos 
diary in the course of it; but though she glossed over the' 
scandal as much as possible. Lord Kinlock guessed all that 
she omitted. 

• “ My dear Georgie,” he said, in return, ‘‘ this is the 
usual end of all worldly friendships. It must be evident 
to you now that these women have flattered you for their 
own interests, not because they desired your good; and they 
have been false to Gerard as well as to yourself. For no 
true friend could wish to sow dissension between a husband 
and his wife. This is one reason why I so much wish to 
see you give up a profession which brings you in contact 
with the more worthless of your sex, and live the rest of 
your life in the social retirement which your mother did 
before you. ” 

“ But, dear Lord Kinlock,” said Georgie, smiling, “ my 
mother had my father to support her, and I have no one. 
How should I and Sissy live if I abandoned the stage?” 

‘‘ My dear girl, do you suppose that my home is not al- 
ways open to you? It is not a very affluent one, but such 
as it is, I consider you have as much right to it as my own 
daughters. ” 

‘‘It is too good of you to say so. Lord Kinlock; but I 
may not always be alone, you know. If — if things should 
turn out differently from what they are at present, how 
would Gerard and I live unless I work? Apparently he 
can not; and yet he loves the luxuries of life, and is not 
happy without them. It would be foolish to relinquish the 
only means by which I can procure them for him. ” 

Lord Kinlock looked very grave. 

“ Then, Georgie,” he said, “I am to understand that 
you want to live with your husband again!” 

“ Oh, no — no!” she cried, “ I can not say what I want 


306 


MISS harkingtom's husbamd. 


or wish; for everything is so uncertain, and my future is 
so dark, that I scarcely know how to turn myself, nor what 
will happen to me next/^ 

“It is a deplorable condition for 3^ou, my poor child, 
and I wish I could see it otherwise; but as it is, there seems 
little probability of a change for the better. My unfort- 
unate son-’s heart appears to have been hardened by adver- 
sity, and I am afraid he has given himself up to evil com- 
panions, and yet you can not live out your life like this, 
Georgie. The anxiety and suspense will sap you of all 
mental and physical strength. 

“ What alternative is there for me?^^ she asked, sadly. 

“A separation, my dear. I have been thinking the 
matter over for some weeks past, and I believe I have de- 
cided for the best. A legal separation is the only thing 
that is likely to bring you rest and peace. You will begin 
then to think of your marriage as a thing of the past, and 
in time forgetfulness will follow in its train. You will no 
longer be in daily dread of seeing your husband^s hand- 
writing, or of hearing he waits you in the drawing-room. 
It is these things, Georgie, that are pressing secretly upon 
your health. Sorry as I am to say it, my son is utterly 
unworthy of you. Cast him from your heart, and you will 
regain your peace of mind. But you will never do that 
while 3^ou run the hourly risk of encountering him. 

But Georgie did not answer; she sat with fer face buried 
in her hands. 

“ I dare say the idea will be painful to you at first, my 
dear, but I advise you as I should one of my own daughters. 
Your husband has ceased to care for you. He has given 
you too many proofs of his indifference for you to doubt it 
any longer. And under such circumstances it is better you 
should part; then you would be free to come to me for the 
remainder of your life, and I should welcome you as an- 
other and a dearer child. ” 

“ Oh, Lord Kinlock, do you really, really think it would 
be best?"^ she answered, sobbing. “ I know Gerard doesnT 
care for me now, but in time, perhaps — is it qtdte impos- 
sible that the old feelings may be revived again 

“ If it were possible, dear Georgie, is it desirable? Would 
feelings thus revived be worth the cherishing? I think not. 
Neither, from what I hear, do I think there is any chance 
of their revival. Come, my dear, let me act for you in this 


MISS HARKINGTON^S HUSBAND. 307 

matter. A few lines to my son will settle the affair; if Tie 
agrees to a separation between you you can have no further 
doubt as to his inclinations. Do you consent 

Oh, yes, do just as you think best! If Gerard wishes 
it I shall do so too.^^ 

Nevertheless, she was in a terrible state of mind when 
that letter was dispatched that reached Captain Legh on 
the same night that she made her appearance in “ Haunt- 
ed at the Eoyal Consort. 


CHAPTER XLV. 

MET TO PART. 

To receive such a letter from his father was a much 
greater blow to Gerard Legh than if it had reached him 
through the hands of any other friend. 

Lord Kinlock was, as a general rule, so temperate in liis 
ideas, so kindly in his judgments, and so well disposed to 
view every circumstance in its best light, that to pass under 
his condemnation was to feel that one must indeed have 
sinned. 

That all his family should set themselves up in arms 
against him on behalf of Georgie was a fact Captain Legh 
seemed quite unable to digest. Here was she, his wife — 
whom, as his wife, they had refused even to notice — seated 
in the very midst of them, on a throne of her own erection; 
his father and mother calling her their daughter; his sistei^s 
her constant companions; and Moberley and Helen talking 
of her as their dearest friend. 

It was incomprehensible, and he would not have been 
surprised to see it end with a fulfillment of Miss Sylvia 
Marchmont^s pert prophecy of seeing all the members of 
the aristocratic family seated in the front row of stalls at 
the Royal Consort. 

Meanwhile, the earPs letter lay before him, and as he 
raised his tear-stained and crest-fallen face — ashamed of his 
weakness even though he was alone — and read it through 
once more, he felt the only thing he could do was to ac- 
cede to the request contained in it. He had lost her, and 
he must bear his loss as other men did theirs— by putting a 
brave face upon the matter. 

He had permitted the cackling tongues of jealous women 


308 


MISS HAEEINGTON^S HUSBAKD. 


to bias his opinion and interfere with his happiness, and 
Georgie was too much wounded by his conduct to wish to 
return to him. 

He remembered his letters to her — so coldly and cruelly 
insulting; his behavior when she stamped upon her own 
pride and called to see him in his chambers, and he exposed 
* her to the humiliation of being laughed at by his servants. 
He recalled, too, sundry passages in his own life since they 
had been parted, and acknowledged that he deserved the 
punishment that had fallen to him. 

But it was not the less hard to bear on that account. 
The idea of parting with his wife forever — of giving up all 
further claim upon her — tortured him by day and by night. 
He felt for the first time how much (notwithstanding all 
his obstinacy) he had looked forward .to meeting her again 
— to asking her pardon for the past — to hearing her declare 
she had been true and faithful to him. For however in- 
constant a man may be himself he invariably exacts a strict 
account from the weaker vessel. He may have sinned 
against her in every particular, but she must not have given 
even a look that can not bear the closest investigation. It 
is the weak spot in the masculine brain, in order to defend 
which they have generally to carry out their self-made laws 
at the point of the sword. 

But notwithstanding Captain Legh’s remorse, his pride 
prevented his doing what he would have considered lower- 
ing to himself, and he made no sign of regret or contrition. 

He wrote a stiff letter in reply to that of Lord Kinlock, 
stating that he was willing to agree to any arrangement 
that he and Mrs. Legh thought b^est, and that he had in- 
structed his solicitors, Messrs. Jolliife, to meet and consult 
Mr. Harman on the subject. As soon as they had all made 
up their minds about it he should be happy to sign the 
deed. He regretted he could' not make his wife a settle- 
ment suitable to her position, but his father knew what his 
means were, and that it was impossible. In conclusion, he 
sent his love to all his family, and he begged to be remem- 
bered to Mrs. Legh. 

It was as cool and indifferent a letter as a man could 
write. A keen observer of human nature might have sus- 
pected it was too indifferent to be sincere; but no one at 
Summerhayes dreamed of the tears that had risen to blur 


MISS HAERIMGTON^S HUSBAMD. 


309 


the sight of the writer, nor the groans he had been unable 
to suppress as he sealed and dispatched it to the post. 

Georgie Harrington was by that time settled again in 
London, and hard at work. 

Her part in Haunted was a very fatiguing one, and, 
combined with her anxiety about her husband, soon began 
to tell upon her. In a couple of weeks she had lost the 
roses she gained at Brighton and Summerhayes, and looked 
3d and worn. 



She was in this condition when she received a letter from 
the earl to say that the following morning had been fixed 
for them to meet Gerard at Mr. Harman'^s office, and sign 
the deed of separation. It was like a knell of death to her. 
The idea of seeing her husband, and gazing on his face 
again, sent the blood to her cheeks in a crimson flood; but 
when she remembered for what purpose they were to stand 
once more together, it rushed back again, and left her 
paler than before. 

She was very lonely just then; the cruel discoveries she 
had made cut her off from the companionship of Marian 
Lacy and Louise Fletcher. She shrunk (she hardly knew 
why) from the officious friendliness of Lady Henry Mash- 
am ; and she lived in daily dread of coming across Sylvia 
Marchmont. 

She felt as if her hand were against every man, and 
fevery man^s hand against her. Her feud with Gerard 
seemed to include the whole world, and render it barren 
from Han to Beersheba. 

She looked so ill on the morning of her appointment at 
the lawyer ^s office that Rachel begged her not to go out. 

Youh’e not fit for it, ma^am,^^ she urged; you do 
look so tired and pale. ^ 

I am obliged to go, Rachel, so it is of no use talking 
about it; and it is growing late, so you must dress me at 
once — no; not that costume, she said, shuddering, as the 
maid produced something that looked rather festive; “I 
canT wear colors to-day. Give me my black velvet and 
sable. I feel as if I were going to my death. 

“Lor^! ma^am,^^ cried the servant, who was, like most 
of her class, superstitious. “I wish you wouldn’t talk like 
that; you make me think there’s something going to hap- 
pen.” 

Something is going to happen, Rachel; the greatest 


310 


MISS HAEBIiq-GTON’S HUSBAND. 


event of my life; you will hear all about it by and by. 
Go and see who is at the door. 

“It is Mr. Brabazon Chauncey, ma^am, wants to see 
you/^ said the maid, returning from her errand, “ but IVe 
said you’re ill, and just going out.” 

“No! no!” exclaimed Georgie, “say I will be down 
directly, I wish to speak to him.” 

When she entered the sitting-room, and Brabazon 
Chauncey met her with an extended hand, she guessed at 
once that he knew the truth. 

“. Some one has told you of my appointment for to-day,” ‘ 
she said, with a sad smile; “ I can read it in your eyes. 
Are you glad for me, or sorry?” 

“ I am not quite sure, Georgie. You know well that my 
sole desire with regard to you is for your happiness. But 
I should like to be certain that the step you contemplate is 
for your happiness, before I congratulate you on it. ’ ’ 

“ You have always looked on my marriage with Captain 
Legh in the light of a misfortune. ” 

“ I did; and in some respects do still. But the ques- 
tion is, whether we can cure a great ill by a gi’eater. Who 
proposed this separation to you, Georgie?” 

“ My father-in-law! He considers it essential to my peace 
of mind fcat all power to annoy me further should be taken 
out of the hands of Captain Legh. ” 

“ And will that restore your peace of mind?” 

“ I think so! I am sure it will,” replied Georgie, fever- 
ishly. “ What is the use of hanging on in this way, neither 
married nor unmarried? Captain Legh is pining for his 
freedom. The way he behaves is enough to prove that; 
and every fresh act on his part is a fresh insult to me, 
whilst we are tied together. Once separated, he can do as 
he chooses; it will be nothing to me then — nothing what- 
ever.” 

“ You credit a legal separation with an extraordinary 
amount of power, Georgie. The mere fact of putting your 
name to a piece of paper is not only to make your husband 
rehnquish all claim on your person, but to wrest him per- 
force from your heart; for you have not overcome your 
weakness for him yet, and you can not deceive me into be- 
lieving that you have.” 

“ I have, at all events, lost all my respect and esteem for 
him, Mr. Chauncey; and whatever feeling may be left is 


MISS HARRINGTON^S HUSBAND. 311 

(as yon term it) weakness. But have you come here this 
morning to plead his cause with me?^’ 

On the contrary, I came to see if I could be of use to 
you. At what time are you due at the lawyer^s?^' 

“ One o^ clock. It wants twenty minutes of the hour 
now. 

I shall not detain you twenty minutes! I suppose you 
know that Captain Legh has obtained the consulate at 
Barcelona?^ ^ 

A consulate! Is he going to work at last? I suppose 
he finds his income is too small for his indulgences. No! 
indeed! I had not heard it. How should I? We have no 
communication. How did he get it?^^ 

‘‘ Through the exei’tions of a friend, I believe. I am 
glad he has a prospect of work though, for it will distract 
his thoughts. He is terribly hipped. 

“ What is he ^ hipped ^ about? 

“ Need you ask me, Georgie? Is this morning^s business 
the sort of thing to raise a man^s spirits ?"’"’ 

Mr. Ohauncey, are you aware that this separation has 
been arranged with Captain Legh's entire consent? I may 
say by his instigation. He has written to me more than 
once to say he never wishes to meet me again. He has re- 
fused to receive me as his wife — even to see me when I 
called upon him. He has reposed his confidences in, and 
his affections on, othdrs, and exposed me to the censure of 
a world which is always ready, in such a case, to believe 
the woman must be in the wrong. Ho you wish me to re- 
ceive any more insults at his hands, or do you think that 
these are enough?'’^ 

They are more than enough, Georgie. I donT defend 
him; but I am sorry for him. I met him yesterday, and I 
saw that he could.not trust himself to speak of this matter. 
He shows it in his looks. I am sure you will be shocked 
when you see how altered he is. * 

Georgie had a difficult task to prevent herself breaking 
down over the picture presented to her; but she mastered 
her emotion sufficiently to say: 

“ I am sorry for him, too. I am sorry for any man who 
is so mad as to throw his happiness away in the gut(;er. 
But it is his own fault. He has only himself to blame; and 
things have gone too far now to be retracted./^ 

Mr. Chauncey made a last appeal. 


313 MISS hareingtom's husband. 

“ I used not to like Captain Legli, as you know, Georgie; 
but I think he has had a bitter lesson, and that it has 
changed him. He does not look like the same man.^'’ 

'‘Neither am I the same woman, she replied; "his 
conduct has made me as hard as a stone. But the time is 
up, Mr. Ohauncey. I must really be going. Good-bye. 
Next time you see me I shall be free again. 

She waved her hand gayly to him as she drove off; but 
her smile was as ghastly as though it had been on the face 
of a corpse. 

Her thoughts were ghastly, too, as she drew near the 
place of rendezvous. Her friends (so-called) had dropped 
away from her like autumn leaves before a -storm. And 
now her love — the love of her life — was to be torn forcibly 
from her bosom, and there would be nothing left to her — 
nothing but little Sissy, who could so poorly atone for the 
loss of all that made her happiness. 

As her carriage drew up before Mr. Harman^s office the 
Earl of Kinlock came down the steps to receive her, and, 
taking her on liis arm, led her to the lawyer '’s private 
room. 

As she gained the topmost stair Georgie paused, with her 
hand upon her heart. 

" Is he,^^ she gasped, " is he — there 

" Gerard, my dear? No, he has not arrived yet; but 
Mr. Jolliffe expects liim every moment.^’ 

As she entered the apartment Mr. Harman and Mr. 
Jolliffe bustled about to place her a chair in the most con- 
spicuous position; but she waved them back, and, seating 
herself in a corner, watched the door with an eager gaze, 
that struck the beholders with pain. 

Her face was white as marble, looking more so by con- 
trast with the black dress she wore; and her large eyes had 
deep violet circles beneath them, as though she had not 
slept for many nights. 

The- earl and the solicitors discussed the deed they had 
met to sign in all its bearings, and now and then Lord 
Kinlock appealed to his daughter-in-law to say if such and 
such clauses met with her approbation. But Georgie 
scarcely answered him; she scarcely seemed to hear him. 
She sat with scared eyes and bated breath, listening to every 
sound in the chambers below, and waiting for the footsteps 
that she dreaded yet longed to hear. At last they came, so 


MISS HARRINGTOir’S HUSBAMD. 313 

slowly and deliberately indeed that Lord Kinlock did not 
recognize them as those of his son, nor the solicitor as those 
of his client. Only Georgie knew them, changed as they 
were, as she would have known them among ten thousand. 
How she wished he would enter the room ! She felt as if 
another moment of suspense would kill her. 

She had meant to be so brave and cool; but as the door 
opened to admit her husband she involuntarily uttered a 
little gasping cry. Gerard heard it, and turned toward 
her, and the blood rushed in a torrent to his face as his 
eyes rested on her form again. But the next moment he 
had remembered himself, and, bowing to her as if he had 
been an ordinary acquaintance, he held out his hand to his 
father. Lord Kinlock took it, but rather coldly. 

I wrote you word that I had been offered and had ac- 
cepted the consulate at Barcelona. You might congrat- 
ulate me on my appointment, said Captain Legh, trying 
to speak calmly. 

“ Better late than never was the earhs caustic reply. 

The same proverb might apply to your engagement this 
morning.- It would have been more becoming of you not 
to have kept Mrs. Legh and myself waiting. 

“I am sorry, he faltered. “I — I — did not feel very 
well. I came as soon as I could. ” 

Now you are here, we had better go through the deed 
again, and if you have any objections to make you can 
state them.^^ 

Very good. I am ready, replied Gerard, as he took 
a seat, with his profile turned toward his wife. 

All this time Georgie had made neither sign nor sound. 
The only idea which possessed her was that she must bear 
up until the ordeal was past. 

As she sat in her corner, not daring to look at her hus- 
band^’s face, she kept on praying for courage, and not to 
degrade herself by an exhibition of her real feelings. But 
tlie torture she was undergoing was depicted on her counte- 
nance. Her white features twitched convulsively, and 
her eyes looked like those of a dying animal. Lord Kin- 
lock perceived her emotion, and approached her kindly. 

“ Come, my dear girl/’ he said, “ this is an unpleasaht 
ordeal for you, but it will soon be over. You have heard 
the different clauses of the deed of separation, and Gerard 
has no fault to find with them. He has appended his sig- 


314 MISS HAREINCtTOM^S husbamd. 

nature to it, and now we want yours. Courage!’^ he con- 
tinued, in a lower voice, as he assisted her to rise from her 
chair. “ It will not take a minute, and then I will see you 
home.'’^ 

Georgie struggled to her feet, and staggered to the table. 
It would not take a minute ! It would soon be over! Only 
a minute to open the gulf between her and Gerard that no 
after-penitence could bridge over again. Only a minute to 
sign away the happiness of her hfe — to give up all claim to 
love her husband, to nurse him in sickness, cherish him in 
health, to have any share in his pleasure, any right to weep 
over his grave ! 

The awful solemnity of the moment overwhelmed her. 
She took up the pen with a shaking hand, and tried to 
form the characters of her name. Her fingers seemed 
nerveless. 

In her despair she lifted her eyes and met' those of her 
husband fixed upon her. They revealed a world to her. 
However they may have misled others, Georgie read the 
whole history of his sufferings in them, and with a low cry 
of mingled pain and pleasure she fell fainting to the ground. 

The whole office was immediately in confusion. Messrs. 
Harman and J olliffe rushed about frantically for glasses of 
water, and Lord Kinlock hastened to the assistance of his 
daughter-in-law. Only Gerard stood apart with a glad 
hope in his breast to which he dared not give expression. 

After a few minutes of unconsciousness Georgie came back 
to herself. She looked from one to the other in confused 
amazement, and then relapsed into tears. 

“ Oh, Gerard!^ ^ she murmured, below her breath — “ Oh, 
Gerard ^ 

Captain Legh was by her side in a moment. 

‘‘ Georgie, he said, tenderly, “ is it possible? Can you 
and I part forever 

“ It is not possible,” she exclaimed, as she flung herself 
into his arms. ‘‘I am your wife — you are my husband! 
Whatever we are we must cling together to the end.-’^ 

Why, what is this?” cried the earl, who, although he 
could not hear distinctly, retained the full use of his eye- 
sight. “ Do you mean to say you two are going to make 
it up again ?'^ 

'^It looks like it, doesnT it?” replied Georgie, raising 
her tearful eyes to his. “ Oh, Lord Kinlock, don't try to 


MISS harrimgtom'’s husbamd. 


315 


argue against it now! Let us hear his explanations first, 
and then — and then — 

“ Then if they are not satisfactory, we can come back 
and finish signing these papers. Is that what you mean, 
Georgie?" 

‘‘ I donT know what I mean,^^ she murmured. “ I only 
know that I have him back again, and that I am happy. 
Gerard, do not leave me! I have suffered so much in this 
separation. Whatever happens let us bear and fight against 
it together. My first love— my only love!^' she whispered, 
as she clung to him. “ I would rather die with you than 
live with any other man!^^ 

“ And believe me, dearest,^^ he answered, in the same 
tone, ‘‘ that, whatever my failings may be no woman could 
ever stand in your place to me. We have, had a bitter 
lesson. Heaven grant its fruit may be Joy and peace !^^ 

“ Mr. Harman and Mr. Jolliffe,^^ said Lord Kinlock, I 
think we will defer this meeting to another occasion.^'’ 

‘‘ Delighted, my lord, I am sure — delighted!’^ exclaimed 
both the la^vyers in a breath. 

‘‘ Well, Gerard, you had better take your wife down to 
the carriage,^ ^ continued the earl, “ and I will get home as 
best I may by myself. I fancy you can do without me 
now.-’^ 

Never !” cried Georgie, as she lifted her face to his. 
“ To the last day of my life I shall associate this happy 
moment with your kindness and your care.^^ 

And so the sun of love broke out from behind the clouds 
of despair and illumined the dusty office with his refulgent 
beams. 


CHAPTER XLVI. 

AT SUMMERHAYES. 

Om the following Sunday the whole party were assem- 
bled at Summerhayes, and Gerard and Georgie were seated 
on a sofa by the library fire, recounting to each other a 
dozen little adventures which had escaped their memory 
before. 

Captain Legh had occasionally to halt and change the 
subject, as he trod on dangerous ground; but Georgie went 


318 MISS HABKIMCtTOM^S husband. 

almost as much about you as she did herself. Was it not 
so, Miss Harrington?^ ^ 

‘‘I am afraid I was very selfish in my trouble, Mr. 
Boch, and made myself a terrible nuisance to my friend s.^^ 

“ But you are all right now?’^ he said, smiling. 

Yes,^^ she answered, with a glance at her husband, “ I 
am all right now, 

‘‘ And where is my dear little friend Sissy continued 
Hiram Boch. “ I have an especial message for her from 
Paris. 

“ Sissy will be charmed to see you. She talks of her 
dear Hiram incessantly. Gerard, please touch the bell, 
and tell them to send her down to us at once. 

“ I will go for her,^^ replied Captain Legh, as he left the 
room. 

“ Mr. Boch," said Georgie, earnestly, as soon as they 
were alone, “ I owe you a deep debt of gratitude on my 
own account. It is for what you did for me with Mr. 
Maxim. It has all come out through Brabazon Chauncey. 
I know you will not let me repay you in the common sense 
of the word, but you must let me thank you for your ten- 
der consideration of my needs. 

‘‘ Be happy, Georgie, and I am more than repaid. 
There was a'time, as you know, when I was too selfish to 
have found happiness in witnessing your reunion with your 
husband. But that time has passed away, and I see all 
things in a clearer light; and I believe he will be more 
worthy of you in the future. He has passed through a 
scorching fire, and it has cleansed and purified him. He 
will not risk losing you a second time. 

“ I tliink so too," replied Georgie, with the tears stand- 
ing in her eyes. ‘‘We both needed a lesson, and we have 
learned it thoroughly. And with the work you have been 
so good as to procure for him, Gerard will recover his self- 
respect — never again, I trust, to lose it. The difference in 
his behavior to my little sister in itself shows how anxious 
he is to redeem the past. She is almost as fond of him — 
not quite, Mr. Boch — as she was of you. But here she 
comes to speak for herself." At which juncture. Sissy, 
appearing on the threshold, rushed vehemently forward, 
and fiung herself into the arms of Hiram Boch. 

“ Oh, I am so glad you have come! Oh, don’t go away 
again! This country is detestable without you!" 


MISS harrimgtom's husband. 319 

‘‘ There a welcome T" exclaimed Gerard, laughing; 
‘‘ and from a young lady in her fourteenth year. I wish 
the girls would run after me in the same energetic fash- 
ion 

“ Why, my little Sissy,” said Hiram Boch, when he 
could disengage her arms from round his throat, ‘ ‘ how you 
have grown! You will soon be as tall as your sister. Well, 
I must have had some premonition of this when I selected 
your cadeau in Paris. You have outstripped toys alto- 
gether.^^ 

“ What is it?” whispered Sissy. 

He replied in the same tone. 

“Georgie! Georgie!” she exclaimed, in a burst of de- 
light, “ he has bought me a watch! Oh, Hiram, how nice 
you are! I have been longing for one day and night!” 

“Let us go and find it, then,” he said, as he led her 
away. 

“ What a fine fellow he is!” remarked Gerard, looking 
after him. 

“You may well say so, darling. If you knew all, you 
would say more of him than that!” 

“ Suppose I do know all, Georgie? Suppose I know that 
you might have thrown me over and taken him instead — 
what then?” 

“ Why, then you must feel quite convinced that I love 
you better than anything the world can give me, Gerard!” 

* * ♦ jfe * * * 

Three years have elapsed since then, and the consul and 
his wife are still in Barcelona. A strange rumor has come 
thence lately — that a marriage has been arranged, and will 
shortly take place, between Hiram Boch and Berthe Har- 
rington, and that the next time he crosses the Atlantic the 
millionaire will take with him the youngest and sauciest 
woman of fashion that was ever elected to reign over the 
society of New York. 

How Mrs. Legh regards the probable parting with her 
sister has not yet transpired; but there is a baby in Barce- 
lona who may possibly make up in a great measure to his 
mother for the loss she will experience in Sissy. 


THE END. 


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544 

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251 

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22 

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22 

20 

527 

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305 

20 

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567 

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286 

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115 

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744 

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350 

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478 

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118 Eric Dering. “ The Duchess ” 
96 Erling the Bold. By R. M. Bal- 

lautyne .' 

90 Ernest Maltravers. By Sir E. Bul- 

wer Ly tton 

786 Ethel Mildmay’s Follies. By 
author of “ Petite's Romance ” 
162 Eugene Aram. By Sir E. Bulwer 

Lytton„ 

764 Evil Gemus, The. By Wilkie 

Collins 

470 Evelyn’s Folly. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne ” 

62 Executor, The. By Mrs. Alex- 
ander 

13 E 3 Te’s Acquittal. By Helen B. 
Mathei’s 

319 Face to Face ; A Fact in Seven 
Fables. By R. E. Francillon. 
5316 Fair Country Maid, A. By E. 

Fairfax Byirne 

•61 Fair Maid, A. By F. W. Robin- 


Fair Maid of Perth, The; or, 

St. Valentine’s Day. By Sir 

Walter Scott iiO 

Fair Mystery, A. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne ” 20 

Fair Women. By Mrs. Forrester 20 
Faith and Unfaith. By “ The 

Duchess” 20 

Family Affair, A. By Hugh 
Conway, author of “ Called 

Back ” 20 

Family Difficuity, The. By Sa- 
rah Doudney 10 

Far From the Madding Crowd. 

By Thomas Hardy 20 

Fashion of this World, The. By 

Helen B. Mathers 10 

Fast and Loose. By Arthur 

Griffiths 20 

Fatal Dower, A. By the Author 
of “His Wedded Wife” ....10 
Fatal Lilies, The. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne” 10 

Fatal Marriage, A. By Miss 

M. E. Braddon 10 

Felix Holt, the Radical, By 

George Eliot 20 

Fenton’s Quest. By Miss M. E. 

Braddon 20 

File No. 113. By Emile Gabo- 

riau 20 

Finger of Fate, The. By Cap- 
tain Mayne Reid ..20 

Fire Brigade, The. By R. M. 

Ballantyne 10 

First Person Singular. By Da- 
vid Christie Murray 20 

Fisher Village, The. By Anne 

Beale 10 

Flower of Doom, The, and 
Other Stories. By M. Betham- 

Edwards 10 

For Another’s Sin ; or, A Strug- 
gle for Love. Bj' Charlotte M. 
Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne ” 20 

” For a Dream’s Sake.” By Mrs. 

Herbert Martin 20 

Foreigners, The. By Eleanor C. 

Price 20 

For Her Dear Sake. By Mary 

Cecil Hay 20 

For Himself Alone. By T. W. 

Speight 10 

For Life and Love. By Alison. 10 
For Lilias. By Rosa Nouchette 

Carey 20 

For Maimie’s Sake. By Grant 

Allen 20 

” For Percival.” By Margaret 

Veley 20 

Fortune’s Wheel. By “ The 

Duchess” 10 

Fortunes, Good and Bad, of a 
Sewing-Girl, The. By Char- 
lotte M. Stanley 10 

Foul Play. By Charles 


417 : 

20 

10 626 : 

20 

20 727 : 

30 : 

20 

543 : 

20 

20 338 : 

10 

690 : 

10 

798 : 

20. 

10 V 680 : 

20 246 : 

20 299 : 

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20 548 . 

10 693 : 

542 : 

10 

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575 

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95 : 

20 

674 : 

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20 579 

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10 

20 1.56 

20 173 

20 197 

20 150 

278 

20 608 

20 712 

10 586 

171 

10 

468 

20 

20 216 


TEE SEASIDE LIBRARY.— Pocket Edition. 


438 Found Out. By Helen B. 

Mathers 

8:J3 Frank Fairlegh; or, Scenes 
From the Life of a Private 
Pupil. By Frank E. Smedley 
805 Freres, The. By Mrs. Alex- 
ander. 1st half 

805 Freres, The. By Mi-s. Alex- 
ander. 8d half 

226 Friendship. By “Ouida” 

288 From Gloom to Sunlight. By 
Charlotte M. Braeme, authoir 

of “Dora Thorne” 

732 From Olympus to Hades. By 

Mrs. Forrester 

348 From Post to Finish. A Racing 
Romance. By Hawley Smart 

285 Gambler’s Wife, The 

772 Gascoyne, the Sandal-Wood 
Trader. By 11. M. Ballantyne 
549 George Caulfield’s Journey. 

By Miss M. E. Braddon 

365 George Christy; or. The Fort- 
unes of a Minstrel. By Tony 

331 Gerald. By Meaner C. Price.. 
208 Ghost of Charlotte Cray, The, 
and Other Stories. By Flor- 
ence Marryat 

613 Ghost’s Touch, The. By Wilkie 

Collins 

225 Giant’s Robe, The. By F. Anstey 
300 Gilded Sin, A. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne ” 

508 Girl at the Gate, The. By 

Wilkie Collins 

644 Girton Girl, A. By Mrs. Annie 

Edwards 

140 Glorious Fortune, A. By Wal- 

647 Goblin Gold'. ' ' 'By 'May 'Crom- 

melin 

4.50 Godfrey Helstone. By Georgi- 

ana M. Craik 

153 Golden Calf, The. By Miss M. 

E. Braddon 

306 Golden Dawn, A. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne ” 

656 Golden Flood, The. By R. E. 

Francillon and Wm. Senior. . 
172 “ Golden Girls.” By Alan Muir 
292 Golden Heart, A. B}' Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “Dora 

Thorne” 

667 Golden Lion of Granpere, The. 

By Anthony Trollope 

758 “Good-bye, Sweetheart!” By 

Rhoda Broughton 

8.56 Good Hater, A. By Frederick 

Boyle 

801 Good-Natured Man, *The. By 

Oliver Goldsmith 

710 Greatest Heiress in England, 
IMe. By Mrs. Oliphant 

439 Great Expectations. By Charles 

Dickens 


Great Heiress, A : A Fortune in 
Seven Checks. By R. E. Fran- 
cillon 10 

Great Mistake, A. By the autlior 

of “Cherry” 2i 

Great Treason, A. By Mary 

Hoppus 30 

Great Voyages and Great Navi- 
gators. Jules Verne. 1st half 20 
Great Voyages and Great Navi- 
gators. Jules Verne. 2d half 20 
Green Pastures and Piccadilly. 

By Wm. Black 20 

Griffith Gaunt; or. Jealousy. 

By Charles Reade ; 20 

Griselda. By the author of “ A 
Woman’s Love-Story” 20 

Haco the Dreamer. By William 

Sime 10 

Half-Way. An Anglo-French 

Romance 20 

Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover 20 
Hard Times. By Chas. Dickens 10 
Harry Heathcote of Gangoil. By 

Anthony Trollope 10 

Harry Lorrequer. By Charles 

Lever .* 20 

Harry Muir. By Mrs. Oliphant 20 
Haunted Chamber, The. By 

“The Duchess” 10 

Haunted Man, The. By Charles 

Dickens 10 

Hazel Kirke. By Marie Walsh 20 
Headsman, The; or. The Ab- 
baye des Vignerons. By J. 

Fenimore Cooper 20 

Healey. By Jessie Fothergill. 20 
Heart and Science. By Wilkie 

Collins 20 

Heart of Jane Warner, The. Bj" 

Florence Marryat 20 

Heart of Mid-Lothian, The. By 

Sir Walt<“r Scott 20 

Hearts: Queen, Knave, and 
Deuce. By David Christie 

Murray 20 

Heiress of Hilldrop, The; or. 
The Romance of a Young 
. Girl. By Charlotte M. Bi aeme, 
author of “ Dora Thorne ”... 20 
Heir Presumptive, The. By 

Florence Marryat 20 

Helen Whitney’s Wedding, and 
Other Tales. By Mrs. Henry 

Wood 10 

Henrietta’s Wish; or. Domi- 
neering. By Charlotte M. 

Yonge 10 

Her Gentle Deeds. By Sarah 

Tytler 10 

Her Martyrdom. By Cliarlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “Dora 

Thorne ” 20 

Her Mother’s Sin. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “Dora 

Thorne” 10 

Hidden Perils. Maiy Cecil Hay 10 
Hidden Sin, The. A Novel 20 


135 

10 

244 

20 

170 

20 

751 

20 

20 751 

138 

10 

231 

20 

677 

20 

20 597 

20 668 

10 663 

84 

622 

20 

20 191 

569 

10 785 

10 169 

20 

533 

385 

10 

10 572 

167 

20 

444 

10 

391 

10 

695 

20 

20 741 

10 

689 

10 

20 513 

10 535 

20 

160 

20 

576 

20 

10 19 

20 

196 

20 518 

■ C5t) - 


THE SEASIDE LIBRARY.— Pocket EdUion. 


297 Her Marriage Vow; or, Hilary’s 
Folly. Charlotte M. Braeme, 
author of “ Dora Thorne ” . 10 
294 Hilda. Bj" Charlotte M. Braeme, 

author of “ Dora Thorne ”.. . 10 
658 History of a Week, The. By 

Mrs. L. B. Walford 10 

165 History of Henry Esmond, The. 

By William M. Thackeray. . . 20 
461 His Wedded Wife. By author 

of “ A Fatal Dower ” 20 

378 Homeward Bound; or. The 

Chase. By J. F. Cooper — 20 

379 Home as Found. (Sequel to 

“ Homeward Bound.”) ByJ. 
Fenimore Cooper 20 


800 Hopes and Fears; or. Scenes 
from the Life of a Spinster. 
Charlotte M. Yonge. 1st half 20 
800 Hopes and Fears; or. Scenes 
from the Life of a Spinster. 
Charlotte M. Yonge. 2d half 20 
552 Hostages to Fortune. By Miss 


M. E. Braddon 20 

600 Houp-La. By John Strange 

Winter. (Illustrated) 10 

748 Hurrish : A. Study. By the 

Hon. Emily Lawless 20 

703 House Divided Against Itself, 

A. By Mrs. Oliphant 20 

248 House on the Marsh, The. By 

F. Warden 10 

351 House on the Moor, The. By 

Mrs. Oliphant 20 

481 House That Jack Built, The. 

By Alison 10 

754 How to be Happy Tliough Mar- 
ried. By a (graduate in the 

University of Matrimony 20 

198 Husband’s Story, A 10 


389 Ichabod. A Portrait. By Bertha 

Thomas 10 

188 Idonea. By Anne Beale 20 

807 If Love Be Love. D. Cecil Gibbs 20 

715 I Have Lived and Loved. By 

Mrs. Forrester 20 

762 Impressions of Theophrastus 

Such. By George Eliot. . .... 10 

303 Ingledew House. By Chai-lotte 

M. Braeme, author of ” Dora 

Thorne” 10 

796 In a Grass Country. By Mrs. 

H. Lovett Cameron 20 

304 In Cupid’s Net. By Charlotte 

M. Braeme, author of ” Dora 

Thorne ” 10 

404 In Durance Vile, and Other 
Stories. By ” The Duchess ” 10 
324 In Luck at Last. By Walter 

Besant 10 

672 luMaremma. By Ouida.” 1st 

half 20 

672 In Maremma. By“Ouida.” 2d 

half 20 

604 Innocent: A Tale of Modern 
Life. By Mrs. Oliphant. Fh-st 

Half 20 

( 6 ^ 


604 Innocent: A Tale of Modern 
Life. By Mrs. Oliphant. Sec- 
ond Half 20 

577 In Peril and Privation. By 

James Payn 10 

638 In Quarters with the 25th (The 
Black Horse) Dragoons. By 

J. S. Winter 10 

759 In Shallow WaterL. By Annie 

Armitt 20 

39 In Silk Attire. By William Black 20 
738 In the Golden Days. By Edna 

Lyall 20 

682 In the Middle Watch. By W. 

Clark Russell 20 

452 In the West Countrie. By May 

Crommelin 20 

383 Introduced to Society. By Ham- 
ilton Aid6 10 

122 lone Stewart. By Mrs. E. Lynn 

Linton 20 

233 ” I Say No;” or. The Love-Let- 
ter Answered. By Wilkie Col- 
lins 20 

235 ” It is Never Too Late to Mend.” 

By Charles Reade 20 

28 Ivanhoe. By Sir AValter Scott. 20 

534 Jack. By Alphonse Daudet 20 

752 Jackanapes, and Other Stories. 

By Juliana Horatio Ewing. . . 10 
416 Jack Tier ; or. The Florida Reef. 

By J. Fenimore Cooper 20 

743 Jack’s Courtship. By W. Clark 

Russell. 1st half 20 

743 Jack’s Courtship. By W. Clark 

Russell. 2d half 20 

519 James Gordon's Wife, A Novel 20 
15 Jane Eyre. By Charlotte Bront6 20 
728 Janet’s Repentance. By George 

Eliot 10 

142 Jenifer. By Annie Thomas. . . . 20 
767 Joan. By Rhoda Broughton. . ^ 

357 John. By Mrs. Oliphant 20 

203 John Bull and His Island. By 

Max O’Rell 10 

289 John Bull’s Neighbor in Her 
True Light. I3y a ” Brutal 

Saxon ” 10 

11 John Halifax, Gentleman. By 

Miss Mulock 20 

209 John Holdsworth, Chief Mate. 

By W. Clark Russell 10 

694 John Maidment. B^”^ Julian 

Sturgis 20 

570 John Marchmont’s Legacy. By 

Miss M. E. Braddon 20 

488 Joshua Haggard's Daughter. 

By Miss M. E. Braddon 20 

619 Joy; or. The Light of Cold- 
Home Ford. By May Crom- 
melin 20 

265 Judith Shakespeare: Her Love 
Affairs and Other Advent- 
ures. By William Black.... 20 
32 Judith Wynne. By author of 

” Lady Lovelace ” 20 

80 June. By Mrs. Forrester 20 


THE SEASIDE LIBU ARY. -Pocket Edition. 


B61 J list As I Am ; or, A Living Lie. 
By Miss M. E. Braddon 

80 < King Arthur. Not a Love Story. 

By Miss Mulock 

753 King Solomon’s Mines. By H. 

Rider Haggard 

126 Kilmeny. By William Black.. 
435 Klytia : A Story of Heidelberg 
Castle. By George Taylor. . . 


20 


783 I^ady Branksmere. By “The 

Duchess ’’ 20 

35 Lady Audley’s Secret. By Miss 

M. E. Braddon 20 

219 Lady Clai’e; or. The Master of 
the Forges, From the French 

of Georges Ohnet 10 

469 Lady Darner’s Secret. By Char- 
lotte M. Braeme, author of 
“ Dora Thorne ’’ 20 

268 Lady Gay’s Pride; or. The Mi- 

ser’s Treasure. By Mrs. Alex. 

McVeigh Miller. . ’. 20 

805 Lady Gwendoline’s Dream. By 
Charlotte M. Braeme, author 

of “ Dora Thorne ’’ 10 

506 Lady Lovelace. By the author 

of “Judith Wynne’’ 20 

155 Lady Muidel’s Secret. By Jean 

Middlemas 20 

161 Lady of Lyons, The. Founded 
on the Play of that title by 

Lord Ly tton *. 10 

497 Lady’s Mile, The. By Miss M. 

E. Braddon 20 

652 Lady With the Rubies, The. By 
E. Marlitt 20 

269 Lancaster’s Choice. By Mrs. 

Alex. McVeigh Miller 20 

509 Lancelot Ward, M.P. By George 

Temple 10 

32 Land Leaguers, The. By An- 
thony Trollope 20 

684 Jjast Days at Apswich 10 

40 Last Days of Pompeii, The. By 

Buhver Lytton 20 

130 Last of the Barons, The, By Sir 

E. Bulwer Lytton. 1st half.. 20 
130 Last of the Barons, The. By Sir 

E. Bulwer Lytton. 2d half.. 20 
60 Last of the Mohicans, The. By 

J. Fenimore Cooper 20 

267 Laurel Vane; or. The Girls’ 
Conspiracy. By Mrs. Alex. 

McVeigh Miller 20 

455 Lazarus in London. By F, W, 

Robinson 20 

386 Led Astray; or, “La Petite 

Comtesse.’’ Octave Feuillet. 10 
853 Legend of Montrose, A. By Sir 

Walter Scott 20 

164 Leila ; or. The Siege of Grenada. 

By Bulwer Lytton 10 

408 Lester’s Secret. By Mary Cecil 

Hay 20 

562 Lewis Arundel; or, Th# Rail- 
road of Life. By Frank E. 
Smedley 20 


10 

20 

20 


20 

20 


20 


437 Life and Adventures of Martin 
Chuzzlewit. By Charles Dick- 
ens. First half 20 

437 Life and Aclreutures of Martin 
Chuzzlewit. By Charles Dick- 
ens. Second half 20 

774 Life and Travels of Mungo 

698 Life’s Atonement, A. By David 

Christie Murray 

617 Like Dian’s Kiss. By “ Rita ’’. 

307 Like no Other Love. By Char- 
lotte M. Braeme, author of 

“ Dora Thorne ’’ 10 

402 Lilliesleaf ; or. Passages in the 
Life of Mrs. Margaret Mait- 
land of Sunnyside. By Mrs. 

Oliphant 20 

397 Lionel Lincoln ; or, The Leaguer 
of Boston. By J. Fenimore 

Cooper 20 

94 Little Dorrit. By Charles Dick- 
ens. First half 

94 Little Dorrit. Bj' Charles Dick- 
ens. Second half 

279 Little Goldie : A Story of Wom- 
an’s Love. By Mrs. Sumner 

Hayden 

109 Little Loo. By W. Clai’k Russell 20 
179 Little Make-Believe. By B. L. 

Farjeon 10 

45 Little Pilgrim, A. By Mi'S. Oli- 
phant 10 

272 Little Savage, The. By Captain 
Mai’ryat 10 

111 Little School-master Mark, The. 

By J. H. Shorthouse . 

804 Living or Dead. By Hugh Con- 
way, author of “Called Back ’’ 20 
797 Look Before You Leap. By 

Mrs, Alexander 20 

92 Lord Lynne’s Choice. By Char- 
lotte M. Braeme, author of 

“Dora Thorne” 10 

749 Lord Vanecourt’s Daughter. By 

Mabel Collins 20 

67 Lorha Dooue. By R, D. Black- 

more. First half 

67 Lorna Doone. By R. D. Black- 

more. Second half 

473 Lost Son, A. By Mary Linskill. 

354 Lottery of Life, The. A Story 
of New York Twenty Years 
Ago. By John Brougham .. 

453 Lottery Ticket, The. By F. Du 

Boisgobey 20 

'9 Louisa. By Katharine S. Mac- 

quoid 

742 Love and Life. By Charlotte 

M. Yonge 

3 Love and Mirage ; or, The Wait- 
ing on an Island. By M. 

Betham-Ed wards 10 

232 Love and Money; or, A Peril- 
ous Secret. By Chas. Reade. 10 
146 Love Finds the Way, and Other 
Stories. By Walter Besant 
and James Rice 10 


10 


20 

20 

10 


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20 






TEE SEASIDE LIBRARY —Pocket Edition. 


80G Tvove for a Day. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne 

313 Lover’s Creed, The. By Mrs. 

Cashel -Hoey 

673 Love’s Harvest. B. L. Farjeon 
175 Love’s Random Shot. ByAVilkie 

Collins 

757 Love’s Martyr. By Lam*ence 

Alma Tadema 

J91 Love’s Warfare. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “Dora 

Thorne ’’ 

118 Loys, Lord Berresford. By 

’• The Duchess ” 

582 Lucia, Hugh and Another. By 

Mrs. J. H. Needed 

p89 Luck of the Darrells, The. Bj' 
James Pajn 

370 Lucy Crof ton. By Mrs. Oliphant 

44 Macleod of Dare. Wm. Black. 
526 Madame De Presnel. By E. 

Fi ances Poynter 

845 Madam. By Mrs. Oliphant 

78 IMadcap Violet. By AVm. Black 
510 Mad Love, A. By the author of 

“Lover and Loid ’’ 

69 Madoliu’s Lover. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of ‘ ‘ Dora 

Thorne ’’ 

341 Madolin Rivers; or. The Little 
Beauty of Red Oak Seminary. 

By Laura Jean Libbe}’^ 

377 Magdalen Hepburn ; A Story of 
the Scottish Reformation. By 

Mrs. Oliphant 

449 Maiden All Forlorn, A, and Bar- 
bara. By “ The Duchess ”... 
64 Maiden Fair, A. Charles Gibbon 
121 Maid of Athens. By Justin 

McCarthy 

633 Maid of Sker, The. By R. D. 

Blackmore. l.st half 

633 Maid of Sker, The. By R. D. 

Blackmore. 2d half ' 

229 Maid, Wife, or Widow? By 

Mrs. Alexander 

803 Major Frank. By A. L. G. Bos- 

boom-Toussaint 

702 Man and AVife. By Wilkie Col- 
lins. Fir.st half 

702 Man and Wife. By AVilkie Col- 
lins. Second half 

277 Man of His Word, A. By W. 

E. Norris 

688 Man of Honor, A. By John 

Strange Winter. Illustrated. 
217 Man She Cared For, The. By 

F. AV. Robinson 

371 Margaret Maitland. By Mrs. 

Oliphant 

755 Margery Daw. A Novel 

461 Market Harborough, and Inside 
the Bar. G. J. Whyte-Melville 
778 Mai-k of Cain, The. By Andrew 

Lang 

434 Mar riage of Convenience, A. 
By Harriett Jay 


Married in Haste. Edited by 

Miss M. E. Braddon 20 

Mary Anerley. By R. D. Black- 

more 20 

Master Humphrey’s Clock. By 

Charles Dickens 10 

Master of the Mine, The. By 
Robert Buchanau 20 


Mathias Sandorf. By Jules 

Verne. (Illustrated.) Parti. 10 
Mathias Sandorf. By Jules 

A’^erne. (Illustrated.) Part II 10 
Mathias Sandorf. By Jules 

Verne. (Illustrated.) Part III 10 
Matt: A Tale of a Caravan. 

By Robert Buchanan 10 

Mauleverer’s Millions. By T. 

AA'^emyss Reid 20 

May Blossom ; or. Between Two 

Loves. By Margaret Lee 20 

Mayor of Casterbridge, The. By 

Thomas Hardy 20 

Memoirs and Resolutions of 
Adam Graeme of Mossgray, 
including some Chronicles of 
the Borough of Fendie. By 


Mrs. Oliphant 20 

Mental Struggle, A. By “ The 

Duchess ” 20 

Mercedes of Castile; or, Tne 
Voyage to Cathay. By J. Fen- 

imore Cooper 20 

Merchant’s Clerk, The. By Sam- 
uel AVarren 10 

Middlemarch. B}’^ George Eliot. 

First half 20 

Middlemarch. By George Eliot. 

Second half 20 

Midnight Sun, The. By Fredrika 

Bremer 10 

Midshipman, The, Marmaduke 
Merry, AA’m. H. G. Kingston. 20 
Mignon. By Mrs. Forrester ... 20 
Mignon; or. Booties’ Baby. By 

.1. S. AVinter. Illustrated 10 

Mikado, The. and other Comic 
Operas. AVritten by AV. S. 
Gilbert. Composed b 3 ’ Arthur 

Sullivan 20 

Mildred Trevauion. By “ The 

Duchess ” 10 

Miles Wallingford. (Sequel to 
“ Afloat and Ashore.”) By J. 

Fenimore Cooper ’, ... 20 

Mill on the Floss, The. Bj' 

George Eliot 20 

Milly’s Hero. By F, AV. Robinson 20 

Millionaire, The 20 

Minister’s Wife, The. By Mrs. 

Oliphant 80 

Miss Brown. By A^ernon Lee. . 20 
Miss Bretherton. By Mrs. Hum- 
phry AA’^ard 10 

Miss Tommy. By Miss Mulock 10 
Mistletoe Bough, The. Edited 

by Miss M. E. Braddon 20 

Mistletoe Bough, The. Christ- 
mas, 1885. Edited by Miss M. 


E. Braddon, 2(1 


480 

10 615 

20 132 

20 

646 

10 

578 

10 

578 

10 578 

10 398 

20 728 

20 330 

10 

791 

20 

337 

20 

20 

20 

10 771 

424 

20 

406 

20 

31 

20 31 

10 187 

10 

763 

20 

729 

20 492 

20 692 

10 

20 390 

20 414 

20 

3 

10 

157 

10 182 

205 

20 

399 

20 369 

20 

245 

20 315 

10 618 

10 

- .( 8 ) 


WBB SEASIDE LIBR AH Y.— Pocket Edition. 


S98 Mitchelhurst Place. By Marga- 


ret Veley 10 

684 Mixed Motives 10 

2 Molly Bavvn. “ The Duchess ” 20 
159 Mouient of Madness, A, and 
Other Stories. By Florence 

Marryat 10 

125 Monarch of Mincing Lane, The. 

Bj^ WilliaTH Black 20 

201 Monasteiy, The. By Sir Walter 

Scott 20 

119 Monica. By “The Duchess”.. 10 
431 Monikins, The. By J. Fenimore 

Cooper 20 

26 Monsieur Lecoq. By Emile 

Gaboriau. Vol. 1 20 

26 Monsieur Lecoq. By Emile 

Gaboriau. Vol. II 20 

166 Moonshine and Marguerites. 

By “The Duchess” 10 

102 Moonstone, The. Wilkie Collins 20 
308 More Bitter than Death. By 
Charlotte M. Braerne, author 

of “ Dora Thorne ” 10 

178 More Leaves fi’om the Journal 
of a Life in the Highlands. 

By Queen Victoria 10 

116 Moths. By “Ouida” 20 

495 Mount Royal. By Miss M. E. 

Braddon 20 

501 Mr. Butler’s Ward. By F. Mabel 

Robinson 20 

113 Mrs. Carr’s Companion. By M. 

G. Wightwick 10 

675 Mrs. Dymond. By Miss Thacke- 




25 Mrs. Geoffrey. “The Duchess” 20 
606 Mrs. Hollyer. By Georgiana M. 

Craik 20 

546 Mrs. Keith’s Crime 10 

440 Mrs. Lirriper’s Lodgings. By 

Charles Dickens 10 

256 Mr. Smith : A Part of His Life. 

By L. B. Walford 20 

645 Mrs. Smith of Longmains. By 

Rhoda Broughton 10 

339 Mrs. Vereker’s Courier Maid. 

By Mrs. Alexander 10 

635 Murder or Manslaughter? By 

Helen B. Mathers 10 

696 My Ducats and My Daughter. 

By the author of “ The Crime 

of Christmas Day ” 20 

405 My Friends and L Edited by 

Julian Sturgis 10 

726 My Hero. By Mrs. Forrester.. 20 
799 My Lady Green Sleeves. By 

Helen B. Mathers 20 

623 My Lady’s Money. By Wilkie 

Collins 10 

724 My Lord and My Lady. By 

Mrs. Forrester 20 

504 My Poor Wife. By the author 

of “ Addie’s Husband ” 10 

433 My Sister Kate. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne” 10 

871 Mysteries of Paris, The. By Eu- 
gene Sue. Parti 20 


271 Mysteries of Paris, The. By Eu- 
gene Sue. Part II 20 

366 Mysterious Hunter, The; or, 
The Man of Death. By Capt. 

L. C. Carleton 20 

662 Mystery of Allan Grale, The. By 

Isabella Fy vie Mayo 20 

454 Mystery of Edwin Drood, The. 

By Ciias. Dickens 20 

514 Mystery of Jessy Page, The, 
and Other Tales. By Mrs. 

Henry Wood 10 

43 Mystery of Orcival, The. B}-^ 

Emile Gaboriau 20 

255 Mystery, The, By Mrs. Henry 

Wood 20 

725 My Ten Yeai-s’ Imprisonment. 

By Silvio Pellico 10 

612 My Wife’s Niece. By the author 

of “ Doctor Edith Romney ”. 20 
666 My Young Alcides. By Char- . 
lotte M. Yonge 20 

574 Nabob, The: A Story of Paris- 
ian Life and Manners. By Al- 
phonse Daudet 20 

227 Nancy. By Rhoda Broughton. 20 
509 Nell Haffeuden. By Tigne Hop- 
kins 20 

181 New Abelard, The. By Robert 

Buchanan 10 

464 Newcomes, The. By William 
Makepeace Thackeray. Part 


464 Newcomes, The. By William 
Makepeace ThackeraJ^ Part 

II 20 

52 New Magdalen, The. By Wilkie 

Collins 10 

37 Nicholas Nickleby. By Charles 

Dickens. First half 20 

37 Nicholas Nickleby. By Charles 

Dickens. Second half 20 

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and Collins 10 

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475 Prima Donna’s Husband, The. 

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531 Prime Minister, The. By An- 
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624 Primus in Indis. By M. J. Col- 


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249 “ Prince Charlie's Daughter.” 

By Charlotte M. Braeme, au- 
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556 Prince of Darkness, A. By F. 

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704 Prince Otto. By' R. L. Steven- 
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355 Princess Dagomar of Poland, 

The. Heinrich Felbermann. 10 
228 Princess Napraxine. “Ouida” 20 
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88 Privateersman, The. By Cap- 
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487 Put to the Test. Edited by 

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214 Put Yourself in His Place. By 
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of “Dora Thorne” 

691 Queen of Hearts, The. By Wil- 
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641 Rabbi’s Spell, The. By Stuart 

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463 Redgauntlet. By Sir Walter 

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580 Red Route, The. By William 

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427 Remarkable History of Sir 
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D. Blackmore 

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740 Rhona. By Mrs. Forrester 

375 Ride to Khiva, A. By Captain 
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Horse Guards 

896 Robert Ord’s Atonement. By 
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190 Bomance of a Black Veil. By 
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of “Dora Thorne” 10 

66 Romance of a Poor Young Man, 

The. By Octave Feuillet 10 

139 Romantic Adventures of a Milk- 
maid, 'Ihe. By Thomas Hardy 10 

42 Romola. By George Eliot 20 

360 Ropes of Sand. By R. E. Francil- 

lon 20 

664 Rory O’More. By Samuel Lover 20 
193 Rosary Folk, The. By G. Man- 

ville Fenn 10 

670 Rose and the Ring, The. By 
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103 Rose Fleming. By Dora Russell 10 
296 Rose in Thorns, A. By Char- 
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129 Rossmoyne. By “ The Duchess ” 10 
180 Round the Galley Fire. By W. 

Clark Russell 10 

566 Royal Highlanders, The; or. 
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736 Roy and Viola. Mrs. Forrester 20 
409 Roy’s Wife. By G. J. Whyte- 

Melville 20 

489 Rupert Godwin. By Miss M. E. 

Braddon 20 

457 Russians at the Gates of Herat, 
The. By Charles Marvin . ... 10 

616 Sacred Nugget, The. By B. L. 

Farjeon 20 

223 Sailor’s Sweetheart, A. By W. 

Clark Russell 20 

418 St. Ronan’s Well. By Sir Walter 

Scott 20 

177 Salem Chapel. By Mrs. Oliphant 20 
795 Sam’s Sweetheart. By Helen 

B. Mathers 20 

420 Satanstoe; or, The Littlepage 
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660 Scottish Chiefs, The. By Miss 

Jane Porter. 1st half 20 

660 Scottish Chiefs, The. By Miss 

Jane Porter. 2d half 20 

699 Sculptor’s Daughter, The. By 

F. Du Boisgobey. 1st half ... 20 
699 Sculptor’s Daughter, The. By 

F. Du Boisgol^y. 2d half — 20 
441 Sea Change, A. By Flora L. 

Shaw 20 

82 Sealed Lips. F. Du Boisgobey. 20 

423 Sea Lions, The; or. The Lost 
Sealers. By J. F. Cooper. . . 20 

85 Sea Queen, A. By W, Clark 
Russell 20 

490 Second Life, A. By Mrs. Alex- 

ander 20 

101 Second Thoughts. By Rhoda 

Broughton 20 

781 Secret Dispatch, The. By James 
Grant 10 


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387 Secret of the Cliffs, The. By 

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607 Self-Doomed. By B. L. Far jeon 
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474 Serapis. By George Ebers 

792 Set in Diamonds. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of ” Dora 

Thorne ” 

648 Shadow in the Corner, The. By 

Miss M. E. Braddon 

445 Shadow of a Crime, The. By 

Hall Caine 

293 Shadow of a Sin. The. By Char- 
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18 Shandon Bells. By Wm. Black 
141 She Loved Him! By Annie 

Thomas 

620 She's All the World to Me. By 
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801 She Stoops to Conquer. By 

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239 Signa. By “Ouida” 

707 Silas Marner: The Weaver of 
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639 Silvermead. By Jean Middle- 

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615 Sir Jasper’s Tenant. By Miss 

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436 Stella. By Fanny Lewald 

802 Stern Chase, A. By Mrs.Cashel- 

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Story of a Sin. By Helen B. 

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Story oif Ida, The. By Francesca 10 
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Strange Adventures of Captain 


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Augustus Sala 20 

Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and 
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Strange Story, A. By Sir E. 

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Strange Voyage, A. By W. 

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Strange World, A. By Miss M. 

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Struggle for Fame, A. By Mrs. 

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Thorne” 10 

Surgeon’s Daughters, The. By 

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Surgeon’s Daughter, The, By 

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145 

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686 

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467 

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250 

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20 

277 

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123 

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213 

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696 

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136 

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48 

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184 Thirlby Hall. By W. E. Norris 20 
148 Thorns and Orange-Blossoms. 

By Charlotte M. Bi aeme, au- 
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275 Three Brides, The. By Char- 
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775 Three Clerks, The. By Anthony 

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124 Three Feathers. By Wni. Black 20 
55 Three Guardsmen, The. By 

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5482 Three Sisters; or. Sketches of 
a Highly Original Family. 

By Elsa D’Esterre-Keeling. . . 10 
T89 Through the Looking-Glass, 
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By Lewis Carroll. With fifty 
illustrations by JohnTenniel. 20 


471 Thrown on the World. By Char- 
lotte M. Braeme, author of 


“Dora Thorne” 20 

387 Tie and Trick. By Hawley Smart 20 
485 Tinted Vapours. By J. Maclaren 

Cobban 10 

503 Tinted Venus, The. By F. Anstey 10 
120 Tom Brown's School Days at 

Rugby. By Thomas Hughes. 20 
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Charles Lever. First half... 20 
243 Tom Burke of “Ours.” l^y 

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346 Tumbledown Farm. By Alan 

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100 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas. 

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714 ’Twixt Love and Duty. Bj'’ 

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563 Two Sides of the Shield, The. 

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311 Two Years Before the Mast. 

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407 Tylney Hall. By Thomas Hood 20 


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174 Under a Ban. By Mrs, Lodge. 20 
654 “Us.” An Old-fashioned Story. 

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460 Under a Shadow. By Char- 
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276 Under the Lilies and Roses. 

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110 Under the Red Flag. By Miss 

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4 Under Two Flags. By “ Ouida ” 20 
340 Under Which King? By Comp- 
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718 Unfairly Won. By Mrs. Power 

O’Donoghue 20 

634 Unforeseen, The. By Alice 

O’Hanlon . . , • 20 

508 Unholy Wish, The. By Mrs, 

Henry Wood 10 

735 Until the Day Breaks. By 
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691 Valentine Strange. By David . 

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189 Valerie’s Fate. By Mrs. Alex- 
ander 10 

27 Vanity Fair, By William M. 

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426 Venus's Doves. By Ida Ash- 
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46 Very Hard Cash. By Charles 

Reade 20 

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716 Victor and Vanquished. By 

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734 Viva. By Mrs. Forrester 20 

793 Vivian Grey. By the Rt. Hon. 
Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of 

Beaconsfield. First half 20 

793 Vivian Grey. By the Rt. Hon. 


Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of 
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204 Vixen. By Miss M. E. Braddon 20 
777 Voyages and Travels of Sir 

John Maundeville, Kt., Th»'. 10 


659 Waif of the “ Cynthia,” The. 

By Jules Verne 20 

9 Wanda, Countess von Szalras. 

By’ “Ouida” 20 

270 Wandering Jew, The. By Eu- 
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270 Wandering Jew, The. By Eu- 
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621 Warden, The. By Anthony 

Trollope 10 

266 Water-Babies, The. A Fairy 
Tale for a Land-Baby. By the 

Rev. Charles Kingsley. Id 

512 Waters of Hercules, The 20 

112 Waters of Marah, The. By John 

Hill 20 

359 Water-Witch, The. By J. Feni- 
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401 Waverley’. B.v Sir Walter Scott 20 
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415 Ways of the Hour, The. By J. 

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344 “Wearing: of the Green, The.” 

By Basil 20 

312 Week in Killarney, A ; or. Her 
Week’s Amusement. By 

“ The Duchess ” 10 

458 Week of Passion, A; or. The Di- 
lemma of Mr. George Barton 
the Younger. EdwardJenkins 20 
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lotte M. Braeme, author of 

“Dora Thorne”.... 10 

628 Wedded Hands. By the author 

of “ My Lady’s Folly ” 20 

400 Wept of Wish-Ton-Wish, The. 

By J. Fenimore Cooper 20 

637 What’s His Offence? A Novel. 20 
722 What’s Mine’s Mine. By George 

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679 Where Two Ways Meet. By 

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220 Which Loved Him Best? By 
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of “ Dora Thorne ” 10 

236 Which Shall It Be? By Mrs. 

627 White Heather.’ 'By Wm.‘ Black 20 
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323 AV ill fill Maid, A 20 


761 AVill Weatherhelm, By William 

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373 Wing-and-Wing. By J. Feni- 
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472 Wise Women of Inverness, 
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20 Within an Inch of His Life. 

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809 Witness My Hand. By the au- 
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701 Woman in White, The. Wilkie 

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701 Woman in AVhite, The. Wilkie 

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322 AVoman’s Love-Story, A 10 

459 AA’^oman’s Temptation, A. By 
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of ” Dora Thorne ” 20 

295 Woman’s War, A. By Char- 
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“Dora Thorne” 10 

17 AA'ooing O’t, The. By Mrs. Alex- 

3/Uci0i* 20 

380 AA'yaudotte; or. The Hutted 

Knoll. By J. Fenimore Cooper 20 
434 AA’yllard’s AA’eird. By Miss M. E. 

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1 Yolande. By William Black.. 20 


709 Zenobia; or. The Fall of Pal- 
myra. By William AVare. 

First half 20 

709 Zenobia; or. The Fall of Pal- 
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428 Z6ro: A Story Of Monte-Carlo. 

By Mrs. Campbell-Praed 10 

522 Zig-Zag, the Clown; or. The 
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851 The Cry of Blood. By F. Du 

Boisgobey. First half 20 

851 The Cry of Blood. By F. Du 

Boisgobey. Second lialf 20 

852 Under Five Lakes ; or. The 

Cruise of the “Destroyer.” 

By M. Quad 20 


8.53 A True Magdalen. By Char- 
lotte M. Braeme, author of 
“ Dora Thorne.” First half 20 
853 A True Magdalen. By Char- 


lotte M. Braeme, iftuthor of 
“Dora Thorne.” Second half 20 

855 The Dynamiter. Robert Louis 

Stevenson and Fanny Van de 
Grift Stevenson 20 

856 New Arabian Nights. By Rob- 

ert Louis Stevenson 20 

859 Ottilie: An Eighteenth Century 

Idyl. By Vernon Lee. The 
Prince of the 100 Soups. Ed- 
ited by Vernon Lee 20 

860 Her Lord and Master. By Flor- 

ence Marry at 20 

861 My Sister the Actress. By Flor- 

ence Manwat 20 

862 Ugly Barrington. By “ 9’he 

Duchess.” Betty’s Visions. 

By Rhoda Broughton 10 

863 “ My Own Child.” By Florence 

Marryat 20 

866 Miss Harrington’s Husband. By 

Florence Marryat 20 


The foregoing works, contained in The Seaside Library, Pocket Edition, 
are for sale by all new'sdealers, or will be sent to any address, postage free, on 
receipt of price. Parties ordering by mail will please order by numbers. Ad- 
dross 

GEORGE MUNRO. 

MUNRO’S PUBLISHING HOUSE, 

17 to 27 Vapdewater Street, Y. 


P. O. Box 3751. 



. ■ t 

Wr CURiOUS ADVERTISEMENT OF 100 YEARS AGO It 


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THE 

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Price 25 Cents Per Copy : $3.00 Per Year. 


All yearly subscribers on our list on the first of December will be 
entitled to a beautiful chromo, entitled: 

“ HAPPY AS A KING.” 

The New York Fashion Bazar is a magazine for ladies. It 
contains everything which a lady’s magazine ought to contain. 
The fashions in dress wlr'ch it publishes are new and reliable. Par- 
ticular attention is devoted to fashions for children of all ages. Its 
plates and descriptions will assist every lady in the preparation of 
her wardrobe, both in making new dresses and remodeling old ones. 
The fashions are derived from the best houses and are always prac- 
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Every lady reader of The New York Fashion Bazar can make 
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carefully cut to measure and pinned into the perfect semblance of the 
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clothing. 

The Bazar Embroidery Supplements form an important part of 
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All household matters are fully and interestingly treated. Home 
information, decoration, personal gossip, correspondence, and recipes 
for cooking have each a department. 

Among its regular contributors are Mary Cecil Hay, “ The Duch- 
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The stories published in The New York Fashion Bazar are the 
best that can be had. 

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P. O. Box 3751. 17 TO 27 Vandewater Street, N Y. 


THE CELEBRATED 


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GEAM), SQTJAEE AND UPEIGHT PIANOS. 


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